Rashmi Drolia,TNN | Jun 24, 2014, 10.34 PM IST

 
RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh that records about 13 percent of mentally unfit population of women, is coming up with its first transit care centre for mentally unstable and homeless women in state capital which will start functioning soon.
 

A 50-bed centre would provide the vulnerable women with shelter, rehabilitation, health care and legal aid under department of women and child welfare in collaboration with a non-profit organization Raipur Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS). 

Highly placed officials at department of women and child said the transit centre was ready with experts and facilities and is waiting for final inspection by officials concerned. The 50-bed transit centre for mentally ill women is located at Godhi area about 22 kilometres from city. 

Officials said that there was a need for efficient and fast response mechanism to address post violence trauma of victims specially the destitute ones. Transit centre would not only serve destitute women but also those with the family. 

“Main concern has been about the women under attack by strangers and who go through abuse being defenseless. While some are chased away by throwing stones on them few are tied in rope to some roadside pillar. They need help and assistance of all kind. Hence, complete rehabilitation plan would include counseling, legal aid, social and economic benefits, emotional support,” the officials said. 

They added that ensuring protection from any form of violence with short or long term psychological treatment would be a part of rehabilitation. While the centre is presently coming at Raipur, there are plans to launch the same in Durg-Bhilai as well. 

“All emergency numbers including 108, 181, 1091 could be called up for the service and the ambulance would come to pick the women. For destitute women department would help tracing or identifying the family of survivors too,” officials said. 

Talking to TOI, Shehzan Khan, programme manager of Lord Buddha education society (RIMS) said, “We have already started receiving patients through 108 and 181 health and women helpline numbers. The purpose is to provide integrated service to destitute mentally ill women not only with health aid but ensure protection from any form of violence and rehabilitate them by developing skills in them through training. We will have one counselor and a psychiatrist.” 

However, prominent psychiatrist Dr Ashok Trivedi is skeptical about the scheme’s success as he feels that a transit centre with just one psychiatrist won’t suffice the need. “There are many factors connected to the issue. Distressed women many times have children or are pregnant, it would be the responsibility of government and NGO to look after and rehabilitate the kids as well. Mental health Act requires consent from guardian or family member of patient for treatment or opinion of two psychiatrists in case patient isn’t in position to give consent.”