The Minister of Health, Family and Welfare, Geela Ali, has said that 64 people residing at the Special Needs Centre have been transferred to the care of their families.
The Special Needs Centre is being transformed from a facility primarily viewed as a place for families to leave people in need of special care into a facility focused on providing treatment. The government is working to improve the services and operations of the centre for people requiring special assistance.
To strengthen the services and management of the Special Needs Centre, the government transferred the centre under the National Mental Health Department. Since this change took effect on 1 October 2024, significant changes have been introduced at the centre.
Many people have been residing at the centre due to being unable to receive care from their families, being abandoned by their families and for other reasons. The government is working to change this approach by strengthening the treatment system for people experiencing various mental health difficulties and facilitating their return to the care of their families following treatment.
Minister Geela said that 64 people had been transferred to the care of their families between November 2023 and 10 August this year. She added that 201 people are currently residing at the Special Needs Centre.
The Minister also noted that mental health support has been provided by telephone to people requiring such assistance during this period.
“The purpose of the helpline is to assist people in overcoming difficulties they face in their lives and, when they experience various psychological challenges, to provide psychological first aid, emotional support and crisis intervention over the phone, as well as information about available services and referrals, where necessary, in accordance with established procedures,” the Minister said.
As important measures continue to strengthen the mental health care system, the helpline is providing support to people in need. The Ministry of Health noted that more than 23,000 calls have been answered by the helpline to date.
Arrangements have also been made for mental health treatment to be accessed through Aasandha. Efforts are also under way to raise public awareness and change societal attitudes towards mental health conditions.