KARACHI: Centres for special children in poor shape
By Ali Hazrat Bacha
KARACHI, Nov 22: There is no proper official arrangement for rehabilitation of special children in Karachi. The social welfare department has opened five rehabilitation centres in different localities for the deaf and dumb, but these centres are in a pathetic condition. Shortage of funds and poor transport facilities are the main problems.
The former district government allocated Rs100,000, as a special fund but it was not released. The government is supposed to provide the quarterly budget but it is often released late and the officials incharge bear the current expenditure from their pockets. The food budget has also been stopped.
The existing rehabilitation centres are located at Asifabad (SITE Town), Al-Noor Society (Gulberg Town), Memon Goth (Malir Town) and Lyari Town, where deaf and dumb and children aged between 5 to 14 years with minor physical retardation are admitted. These institutions are basically rehabilitation centres, where primary classes, vocational training in carpentry, electricity and embroidery are available.
The aim of the RHCs was to build special children’s confidence so they could earn their livelihood and lead honourable lives. The regrettable aspect is that the facilities given in the past, like physiotherapy, medical care and food, are no longer available. Each of these centres has only one vehicle, which are always in need of maintenance and mostly out of order. The budget has not been revised, despite the fact fuel prices have increased manifold, and the centres have to limit their transport facilities only to close vicinity.
An official, seeking anonymity, told this scribe in the past advisory committees under the chairmanship of deputy commissioners, used to arrange funds from the well-to-do. But with the devolution of powers system, none of the officials of these centres can ask for donations directly from people.
The idea of opening of the centres was the brainchild of General Zia ul Haq, who had a handicapped daughter, therefore, he paid much attention towards them.
Another officer said in a city like Karachi, four centres were insufficient, and such centres should be set up in more areas, so that handicapped people of remote areas could be rehabilitated at their doorsteps.
Some parents have demanded boarding houses so their children who hail from far-flung areas can also benefit.
The Asifabad RHC was established in 1991 and has 50 students on its rolls. A Suzuki hi-roof is used to pick and drop students. It has no physiotherapist and there is a shortage of furniture and water in the centre. The students are given training in weaving, electrical work.
There is another rehabilitation centre in Block 20 in Al-Noor Society which was established in 1990. There are 20 regular students while 27 students are enrolled. People throw garbage inside the centre’s building, and the staff has no choice except burn it, the smoke enters the classrooms and affects the children.
It has only one van and students reach the centre late. There is no sweeper in the centre. The centre has no boundary wall and urgently needs an iron grill. The RHC in Lyari is situated opposite the Lyari General Hospital. There are 54 students, but the transport facilities to pick and drop them are inadequate. Residents mostly belong to the low-income group and cannot afford to transport their children, and the solution is provision of another vehicle. The centre also needs a physiotherapist for the polio-affected children.
There is no night watchman and miscreants have broken all windowpanes. The centre is short of furniture. Termites have attacked the doors and windows.. The incharge said two condemned vans have created a space problem, and need to be removed. Land grabbers are trying to occupy the centre, and the centre in-charge alone is fighting a legal battle, and so far protected state-land from the encroachers
There are two rehabilitation centre at Korangi, and an RHC at Memon goth which face the same problems. These centres need proper transport facilities and funds.
The rehabilitation centre for the blind in Gulistan-e-jauhar is run by the federal government.
