Ernakulam district panchayat to set up specialized nursing home for mentally challenged, destitute women

KOCHI: The Ernakulam district panchayat is planning to set up a nursing home for mentally challenged and destitute women in the district.

The proposed specialized residential rehabilitation home will be set up on a two-acre plot owned by the district panchayat at Edakkattuvayal in Piravom and is expected to provide shelter, psychiatric and psychological support, vocational training and possibly help reintegrate the women into society.

“Mental health is not given as much importance as it should be and unfortunately several treatment centers use primitive methods of care. We often come across many women who have left their families and there is no way for them to return to a normal life. These women will be housed here, given medical care and required skill training,” said district panchayat president KG Radhakrishnan.

The decision was taken in the recently held district planning committee meeting, he said. The master plan and DPR of the project will be formulated after the site visit along with other stakeholders, he added.

Ernakulam District Women and Child Development Officer Jebeen Lolithasain said the move will help fill the gap that exists in the welfare and justice system.

“Though we have various nursing homes in the public sector, a significant percentage of women sheltered here suffer from psychiatric problems. They need special care and support along with specially trained staff to look after them. Such a specialized home can help reintegrate women into society,” Ms Lolithasain said.

The district has four government-run temporary shelters and rehabilitation centers, including one Mahila Mandiram and three Shakti Sadan Homes. “However, we do not have a dedicated psychosocial rehabilitation center and the proposed center can address this issue,” she said.

The goal is to have a full-time in-house psychologist along with visiting psychiatrists to address the needs of inmates. Along with providing training, various therapeutic centers for holistic healing will be set up to help integrate women into society, Mr. Radhakrishnan added.

In addition to providing shelter to women, an adjacent facility is also being considered, which would provide a home for differently abled children. “At least 100 women can be accommodated in the first phase,” he added.

Published – 29 Jun 2026 20:20 IST