16-Dec-2013 Inmates living in inhuman condition, suffering due to management problems
Behrampore : Inmates of a state-sponsored asylum have no warm clothes to ward off the chill during winter, no good food or medicines. A surprise visit to the state-run home for mentally challenged people at the Mahalandi area in Kandi block in Murshidabad district today revealed that the inmates are exposed to inhuman suffering allegedly due to mismanagement by the authorities. The asylum, with more than 200 inmates ~ including 90 female adults ~ presented such a sorry state of affairs that the visiting team led by Congress MP Adhir Chowdhury and Murshidabad Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Shiladitya Haldar were left astonished. Mahalandi Manasik Chakrachar Abas which is run by the state So cial Welfare Department has had no doctor since 1995, said the home officials. During an emergency medical care, a quack is brought in. Mr Chowdhury alleged that the inmates are not given proper medical care despite the Central government releasing funds liberally to the state government for such homes for mentally challenged patients. The home has no ambulance but has on its pay-roll a driver who draws salary while idly sitting at home, alleged Mr Ashoke Das, a member of the visiting team. Even safe drinking water is not provided to the distressed inmates as two 'water boys' whose task is to carry water to the inmates' room, have fled, said Mr Shiladitya Haldar, the sabhadhipati. "I was shocked to note that the inmates, including the females, have no warm clothes for winter. It's a shame that our distressed populace, especially women in government custody, have no means to protect their honour," said Mr Chowdhury, Behrampore MP and minist er of state for Railways. Prolonged exposure to unhygienic living in the home have led to deaths of at least 30 inmates in the past couple of years, admitted officials. The asylum is managed by around 20 employees who serve on rotation duties, the team observed. http://www.thestatesman.net/news/30183-state-asylum-cries-out-for-help.html -- -- 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 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
