No basic facilities in asylums

KOCHI: Most of the rehabilitation centres in the city  provide unsatisfactory living conditions to their inmates.  When City Express visited some rehabilitation centres in the city, it was found that four centres did not have even the basic facilities. Some of the rehabilitation centres lacked rooms for inmates while the food  was pathetic in some others. Unfortunately, neither the Social Welfare Centre nor the Medical officers  have stepped in to intervene in the issue. District Medical Officer R Sudakaran said there were organisations that  flouted laws and they were under the scanner of the authorities. “We are looking at organisations which have failed in maintaining health and hygiene. We will conduct an inquiry in this regard. Currently, our records  suggest that only four organisations operate in the city. We have already brought it to the notice of the District Collector and are awaiting his nod  before conducting raids at all the centres. If there are any irregularities,  we will take strict action against them,” Sudhakaran added. Social activist Murughan said despite the government concentrating on development projects, not enough attention is being given to the  rehabilitation of mentally-ill. “There are more than 15 organisations in the district. The majority lack  proper facilities. There have been cases in which we rescued some inmates  who ran away from such centres after facing severe torture,” he said.