*3-1-2011* * * *Priyanka Vora* Mentally challenged children have to make multiple visits to hospital to get mandatory IQ certificates because it lacks a full-time psychologist.
With a full-time psychologist missing at the government-run JJ hospital, children with special needs often have to make three or more visits before getting an IQ test done, which is mandatory for them to get concessions for their examinations, train tickets and, in some cases, even admissions to schools. *Helpful tool: The certificates entitle kids to get extra time and lenient checking for exams. * The situation persists despite the JJ hospital being the city's only government hospital and despite it having a functional psychiatry department. The hospital sees nearly 15 children coming for the IQ certificates every day, most of whom have to be asked to make repeated visits to try and match their timing with that of the part-time psychologist. "His school asked us to get an IQ certificate from JJ hospital only and thus we travelled all the way to Byculla from Mira Road. However, we haven't been able to meet the doctor. The staff told us that the hospital does not have a full-time doctor and thus this problem is a persistent one," said Heena Makwana, who had brought his neighbour's son Lance D'souza for the test. "This is a major hospital and I saw many others who were here to get IQ certificates. The hospital should ensure, for the sake of these kids, that the procedure is completed in a day," he added. Lance got an appointment for the IQ test on his third visit to the hospital. Sachin Vyas (17), a Borivli resident, too had to visit the hospital thrice to get an IQ certificate. "His school asked us to get a certificate from a government hospital and thus we had to come to JJ. There was a delay but I'm glad we got it. They should not make such children wait for so long," said Sachin's mother, Asha. *Concessions* Explaining the need for these tests, Kavita Sahay, director, Vibgyor School, said, "We ask children with learning disabilities to get IQ certificates from Sion hospital. Depending on their IQ, we then give them various concessions like extra time or lenient checking for examinations." Dr Nilesh Shah, who heads the psychiatry department at Sion hospital, said, "The three major civic-run hospitals -- Nair, Sion and KEM -- are designated issuing authorities of certificates for people with learning disabilities. There are a few institutions, however, that expect an IQ certificate from a government hospital only and then the patient has to get it from there." *Others too* Elderly people suffering from mental retardation are entitled to pension from the government only if they validate their mental condition with an IQ certificate. *The Other Side* Dr T P Lahane, dean, JJ Hospital, said, "We have already written to various schools informing them that other civic-run hospitals also issue these certificates and they should not insist on getting them from us. We have also asked higher authorities to sanction a post of a psychologist so that no inconvenience is caused to patients." Dr Pravin Shingare, deputy director, Directorate of Medical Education and Research, said, "As far as I know, the hospital's psychiatry department has a psychologist's post and if it is not filled, we will do it." http://www.mid-day.com/news/2011/jan/030111-News-Mumbai-Mentally-challenged-mandatory-IQ-full-time-psychologist.htm -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
