The Edo State Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues through its Department of Rehabilitation Services, recently embarked on an exercise to ameliorate the conditions of persons who are mentally disturbed and are roaming the Benin City metropolis.
Commenting on the Exercise, the Director of the Department of Rehabilitation Services, Sylvester Okeguale, stated that the exercise was aimed at addressing the needs of destitutes and mentally challenged persons in the society.
Okeguale disclosed that such challenged persons would be taken to mental health facilities at the expense of the State Government. He urged the public to empathise with persons who have mental health challenges by showing them care and approaching mental health practitioners, who could help to permanently treat such conditions or at least, ameliorate their sufferings.
The operation, which took place on Airport Road and Ring Road axis, was a challenging task, as some of the mentally challenged persons resisted to be helped. However, some mentally challenged persons were successfully taken out of the street and enrolled for treatment.
Residents in the area commended the State Government for taking decisive action on getting mentally challenged persons out of the street to be helped, stating that the exercise would complement other efforts aimed at improving the beauty and ambience of the City.
The initiative demonstrates the State Government’s commitment in addressing social issues and ensuring the well-being of all strata of residents, including the vulnerable and the mentally challenged
