Mentally challenged children have to make multiple visits to hospital to get mandatory IQ certificates because it lacks a full-time psychologist
Mentally challenged children have to make multiple visits to hospital to get mandatory IQ certificates because it lacks a full-time psychologist
With a full-time psychologist missing at the government-run JJ hospital, children with special needs often have to make three or more visits before getting an IQ test done, which is mandatory for them to get concessions for their examinations, train tickets and, in some cases, even admissions to schools.
Helphul tool: The certificates entitle kids to get extra time and lenient
checking for exams. Representation Pic/Thinkstock
The situation persists despite the JJ hospital being the city's only government hospital and despite it having a functional psychiatry department. The hospital sees nearly 15 children coming for the IQ certificates every day, most of whom have to be asked to make repeated visits to try and match their timing with that of the part-time psychologist.
u00a0"His school asked us to get an IQ certificate from JJ hospital only and thus we travelled all the way to Byculla from Mira Road. However, we haven't been able to meet the doctor. The staff told us that the hospital does not have a full-time doctor and thus this problem is a persistent one," said Heena Makwana, who had brought his neighbour's son Lance D'souza for the test.
"This is a major hospital and I saw many others who were here to get IQ certificates. The hospital should ensure, for the sake of these kids, that the procedure is completed in a day," he added. Lance got an appointment for the IQ test on his third visit to the hospital.
Sachin Vyas (17), a Borivli resident, too had to visit the hospital thrice to get an IQ certificate. "His school asked us to get a certificate from a government hospital and thus we had to come to JJ. There was a delay but I'm glad we got it. They should not make such children wait for so long," said Sachin's mother, Asha.
Concessions
Explaining the need for these tests, Kavita Sahay, director, Vibgyor School, said, "We ask children with learning disabilities to get IQ certificates from Sion hospital. Depending on their IQ, we then give them various concessions like extra time or lenient checking for examinations."
Dr Nilesh Shah, who heads the psychiatry department at Sion hospital, said, "The three major civic-run hospitals --u00a0 Nair, Sion and KEM -- are designated issuing authorities of certificates for people with learning disabilities. There are a few institutions, however, that expect an IQ certificate from a government hospital only and then the patient has to get it from there."
Others too
Elderly people suffering from mental retardation are entitled to pension from the government only if they validate their mental condition with an IQ certificate.
| The Other Side |
| Dr T P Lahane, dean, JJ Hospital, said, "We have already written to various schools informing them that other |
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