Tura, Sept 27: For the first time in Garo Hills, people suffering from mental ailment can seek treatment and residence at the government run ‘Half-way Home’ which was opened at Robagre locality in Tura on Monday.
There are rising cases of people with mental disabilities who are abandoned by their families and left to fend for themselves who scavange on the streets without home and loved ones.
The Half-Way Home inaugurated at Robagre will be able to house 25 patients and currently 10 such persons in need of treatment have already taken up dwelling at the new centre.
The Director of Social Welfare Department, Dikki D Shira, inaugurated the Half-Way Home at Robagre locality of New Tura, in the presence of Deputy Commissioner in-charge of West Garo Hills, Churningstar N Sangma, H Ch Sangma, the District Social Welfare Officer, Jt. Director of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Janulla K Marak, District Program Officer, C D Arengh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Krison R Marak, the members of District Task Force and other dignitaries.
Inaugurating the half-way home, DD Shira said the NGOs and civil societies are part and parcel of the Social Welfare Department in rendering services to the people of the state. Saying that the cooperation and support of the dedicated NGOs will be of immense help to the department in rendering services to the mentally and physically challenged people, he also sought the help the task force members, religious and local leaders to encourage the dedicated NGOs to come forward and to contribute towards the well-being of the half-way home.
The DC in-charge of West Garo Hills, Charmingstar N Sangma, lauded the Social Welfare Department for bringing the home in the district which will go a long way in rendering services and providing care to the mentally challenged people, and sought the moral and physical support of the religious groups and civil society members of the region.
The District Social Welfare Officer, H Ch Sangma, while delivering the welcome and key-note address, informed that this home is a rehabilitation centre for mentally ill people with the required staff in position and a task force to oversee the management of the house. She also said that the home has a capacity for 25 people and there are 10 mentally ill people at present in the home, who will be imparted with vocational training.
Dr. Bollen S Sangma, Senior Psychiatrist, Tura Civil Hospital, while speaking during the inaugural function, stressed on the importance of community contribution and active participation of civil societies for the successful management of half-way home.
