The Hindu : New Delhi News : Special people need special care

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Special people need special care

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, APRIL 5. Protesting against non-inclusion of mentally challenged persons in schemes for educational, health, transport and employment facilities, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) today urged the Delhi Government to "take care of these people''.

To register their protest, a large number of mentally challenged persons and their caretakers will march from Raj Ghat to the Chief Minister's Office to submit a memorandum this Thursday.

According to the honorary Secretary-General of IMA, Vinay Agarwal, Delhi has over 68,000 mentally challenged persons and for long they have been thought to be unworthy of inclusion in any mainstream activity, be it education, health or transportation.

At a press conference here, paediatrician Vijay Agarwal said two of their demands involved the Health Department.

"We demand that the issuing of disability certificates for mentally challenged persons should be an automatic process and the State needs to only constitute a medical board for this purpose,'' he added.

The other demands that the IMA has placed before the Government include free and concessional bus passes in Delhi Transport Corporation buses, resource centres in government schools to help those with learning problems and start Sarva Siksha Abhiyan centres in special schools to enable the concept of inclusive education.

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