NGO decries neglect of mentally challenged persons in society

An NGO, Initiative for the Support, Care and Rehabilitation of the Mentally Ill Destitute (INSCREMID), has decried the high neglect of mentally challenged in the society.

Founder of INSCREMID, Dr. George Eze, disclosed this on Sunday after donation of materials worth N500,000 to mentally challenged inmates of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Neuropsychiatric Clinic, Emene near Enugu.

The materials included neuropsychiatric drugs, television set, dozens of clothing and foot-wears as well as free check-up for all the inmates.

“Thank God, they had been in this home (inmates’ home) protection; but it is not enough.

“That is why we set-up this NGO – INSCREMID. We want to give them an identity; take care of them.

“We urge Nigerians to support us to do it, so that we can take care of their needs and medication,’’ he said.

Eze, who is a consultant to ESUTH, Neuropsychiatric Department, said that mental illness was curable with modern science.

“Mental illness is curable. What kills most mentally challenged people are not their immediate mental challenge but other health illness not treated due to the neglect of such people in the first instance,’’ he said.

He appealed to Nigerians to stop stigmatizing and ridiculing the mentally challenged persons.

“Everyone have to contend with one or two medical challenges in life,’’ Eze, who was a former Enugu State Commissioner for Health, said.

Responding, Dr Godwin Onyebueke, Head of the ESUTH Neuropsychiatric Clinic, thanked INSCREMID for continuous care for the inmates.

“I will assure you that the materials would be put to judicious use,’’ Onyebueke said.