Neglecting the Mentally Challenged?

In every society, it is unavoidable to have people who are mentally retarded. In fact, mental illness is the commonest ailment in the world, just as it is defined.
However, of disheartening to note is the fact that many people never take into consideration the plight of the mentally challenged. This is so because they are considered a threat and a nuisance to people and some even wish they are gotten rid of by society.
People with mental problems are left to their fate while the unlucky ones are left to roam the streets, scampering for their survival.
In Malawi, the case is no different. Over the years, there have been an increasing number of suspected mentally ill persons roaming in and around the country’s streets and cities.
These mentally ill people are seen hunting for unhealthy food in the country’s rubbish dumps, gutters and some very disgusting places. Sad to note is also the fact some people pelt stones at these patients while they pour all sorts of substances on them. Of even hard to fathom is also the painful truth that some weak-minded individuals rape and molest these mentally challenged persons.
As this is not bad enough, some mentally challenged people are ridiculed at and looked down upon with disdain and contempt. It thus appears that many of their inalienable rights are violated and taken for granted.
But why has this been the case in Malawi? Good question. I think there are more factors than one, but chief among the reason is that the government has for many years ignored the plight and welfare of the mentally challenged. Evidenced by lack of strong policies on the mental problem, the government shoulders much blame for overlooking the sufferings of the mentally challenged.
For example, it appears Malawi is still using the Mental Treatment Act of 1989 which I think is archaic and retrogressive. Many things have changed now and the law definitely requires some reviews and amendments so that it suits modern times.
But this is not all.
I think there should also be some complementary policies that should govern the conduct of mental health personnel and also the conduct and responsibility of the general public to the mentally ill. It is clear and loud that the mentally ill are looked at with ridicule and resentment by most people. So the government should come up with means of sensitizing the public on the importance of caring for the mentally challenged.
Another reason why there has been an upsurge of mentally retarded people in the country’s cities and towns is perhaps because the country has one major public mental hospital in Zomba which definitely does not cater for all mental patients in the country. The other major mental hospital is St John of God in Mzuzu, which we gather, is private and definitely not for everyone. What is even more worrisome to note is also the fact that the country has short medical personnel supply and this has aggravated the already worsened situation as this means that many mental patients are not well taken care of.
All these problems point to the fact that the welfare of the mentally challenged is not being well considered and this has led to the rise of mentally challenged to be roaming around the streets.
But, it should be borne in mind that the mentally retarded deserve some form of rights because they being vulnerable and incapacitated do not exempt them from enjoying the rights they deserve. They need more rights and a better environment to leave just like any other normal human being.
More and better mental hospitals and with better facilities, are therefore needed to make their life better. Furthermore, the government should formulate strict laws to safeguard their rights and additionally, it should also put in place policies to ensure that the mentally challenged are given the care and treatment they deserve.
It is also the duty of the Ministry of Information and Civic Education to sensitize the general public on the importance of respecting the rights of the mentally challenged. Good health is of vital importance to the development of any country and the present plight of the mentally challenged is not something the country should be proud of. It sucks.