Andhra Pradesh - Ongole   

Call for more facilities to treat mentally challenged persons

Special Correspondent

Government hospital to have separate wing with 10 beds

ONGOLE: District Secretary of Legal Services Authority H. Chandrasekhar has felt the need to sensitise people as well as doctors on the rights of mentally challenged persons and to provide clinical and para-clinical facilities to improve their mental health and also their skills.

Addressing a meeting got up in the government hospital here on Tuesday on the occasion of the World Mental Health Week, Mr. Chandrasekhar said that pamphlets would be distributed to create awareness among public on the rights of the mentally challenged persons.

The authority had drawn up various programmes during the week.

A separate wing was sanctioned with 10 beds in the government hospital for treating mentally challenged persons.

A psychiatrist was also posted and the wing awaits inauguration by the Health Minister.

He said that there were only four psychiatrists - both in private and public sector - in Prakasam district.

According to one estimate there were 100 mentally challenged persons in Ongole town itself. He felt the need to set up a rehabilitation centre to impart training and improve the intelligent quotient of mentally challenged persons so that they can acquire some skills and lead better lives.

District coordinator of Vidya Vidhana Parishad Durga Prasad presided.

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