The government has transferred the Home for People with Special Needs (HPSN) in Guraidhoo, Kaafu Atoll, under the Ministry of Health. This initiative aims to change the HPSN as a treatment centre and provide the individuals the opportunity to reunite with their respective families and the society.
The HPSN was established in 1976, aiming to offer protection and care to individuals with mental disorders, societal outcasts, and those without parental or guardian support. It was previously under the Ministry of Social and Family Development. The ministry had brought remarkable changes to the services provided during the past nine months, including enhanced treatment and efforts to reconnect individuals with their families.
A key development at the centre includes the implementation of reintegration programmes, which are designed to ensure the HPSN functions as a temporary facility. These programmes focus on equipping residents with essential domestic life skills to facilitate their reintegration into family and societal settings following their treatment.
Aiming to ensure the provision of quality services, HPSN conducted a project aiming to increase the bed capacity of the centre. With this, the centre is now facilitated with 70 additional beds, ensuring that the centre is able to accommodate all the individuals living there.
One notable infrastructural development of the centre includes the establishment of a reintegration ward. The reintegration ward was opened on May 27, aiming to teach people about household life before reuniting with their respective families. Various programmes are held at the centre, aiming to rehabilitate individuals while imparting practical skills. For instance, a specialized cake designing course was conducted for female clients, with ten participants. The ward is designated for women who are receiving treatment for mental health issues and are ready to reintegrate into society.
Furthermore, mental wellbeing programmes have also been organised in the centre along with camps to consult with doctors for special diseases. A new system has been established to provide information and support to residents and their families, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for those in treatment. Efforts are also underway to recruit additional staff, including specialized mental health doctors and therapists.
The HPSN currently accommodates 219 individuals, with 31 individuals over the age of 65. While the centre has been transferred to the health ministry, decisions have been made to determine a budget to run the centre and to transfer the employees under the ministry as well.