Group: Set up rehab centre for mental patients

Star: TAIPING: Like drug addicts, schizophrenics will benefit from specialised help provided at rehabilitation centres.
In voicing this view, the sister of a schizophrenic said family members were able to meet a patient's daily needs but did not know how to give other forms of support.
“Drug addicts have their pusat serenti (rehabilitation centres), and I appeal to the Government to build a rehabilitation centre for schizophrenia patients.
“The centre can also train them in various skills so that they can earn a living,” said Sharah Razali, 45, on Monday.
The medical assistant was representing the Family Support Club, a group comprising family members of schizophrenics set up by the Taiping Hospital's psychiatric and mental health department.
She was speaking after club members had received certificates on completing a training course run by the department from Dr Suarn Singh, head of the Health Ministry's psychiatric programme.
However, in his speech earlier, Dr Suarn Singh said the ministry would be enhancing community-based treatment approaches in the management of schizophrenics through the formation of family support clubs and treatment at home.
“These programmes have shown positive results in reducing the number of warded and relapsed cases,” he said.
The ministry, he added, also planned to reduce the role of Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta (HBUK) in Tanjung Rambutan under the 9th Malaysia Plan.
To do this, the ministry would set up psychiatric services at 50 hospitals, up from the present 27, said Dr Suarn Singh, who is also HBUK director.