A surprise check on the Institute for Mentally Challenged Child Care, run by the Women and Child Welfare Department, revealed some shocking gaps in the services, including the absence of an in-house doctor to attend to the needs of the 68 children of the home.
The neglect came to light during an inspection by Commissioner for Disabilities K.V. Rajanna on Monday evening. Those in charge of the place told him that they take the children to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIHMANS) for treatment every time the need arises and that there is provision for only a general physician who visits the home. Psychiatrists and psychologists are available only at their offices and the children are taken there.
The commissioner said that he had received a series of complaints with regard to the unhygienic conditions at the home and he had found some glaring loopholes in maintaining the house for the mentally ill children. Lack of wheelchairs to ferry the children was shocking.
He has sought weekly report on the progress rate in the homes for the mentally challenged. A Welfare Board Committee meeting is scheduled on December 29 to discuss the issue.
