Duration of stay at Guraidhoo Centre being decided

As a solution to the increasing number of people who are abandoned by their families at the Guraidhoo special needs center after being sent there for treatment, the Ministry of Social and Family Development announced today that it will set a duration of stay following the completion of treatment.

The ministry had previously raised concerns over this issue, highlighting that patients who complete their treatment are subjected to social marginalization and further psychological harm when their families refuse to accept them back.

During the press conference held by the Ministry of Social and Family Development today, Deputy Minister Aminath Ismail stated that the ministry's investigations revealed that the most important aspect identified was that the patients admitted to the center require basic needs.

As such, beds and clean water required have now been arranged, she said.

She also highlighted the issue of patients being abandoned at the centre and gave the example of some patients having to stay there even 20 years after their treatment.

"The policy we're implementing now is that this is a treatment centre. [Patients] can be brought here for a certain period [of time]. Policies on admitting and discharging [patients] have been formulated with areas that need attention in mind. We are working very closely [with the centre] to locate the families of the people that are [here now] and provide the support needed by those families," Aminath said.

She added that this effort is now receiving support to reunite more patients with their families. The ministry is implementing a "treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration" model at the center, which includes providing treatment, training, and reuniting patients with their families once the program is completed.

"[We] are now redesigning the centre. As such, we opened a ward to provide treatment and training [to patients] before their reintegration [process] last week. Last month, [we opened a] severe psychiatric ward. Next week, a dedicated male and children's ward will be inaugurated," she explained, detailing the current status of the centre.

According to the data shared by the ministry, there are currently 221 patients at the centre, out of which 183 patients are receiving psychiatric treatment while 31 are there due to old age and another 15 individuals are bed ridden.

Since last November, 15 patients have been reunited with their families following treatment, and an additional 24 patients are in the process of reintegration, which includes 10 females and 14 male patients, said the Ministry.