At least 24 inmates moved from shelter home to other facilities

New Delhi: Around 24 inmates have been moved out of the Asha Kiran shelter home and sent to other facilities of the Delhi state social welfare department after a TOI report highlighted the high number of deaths and overcrowding at the facility.The social welfare department runs three homes for people with mental disabilities. Asha Kiran in Rohini, which provides shelter to both men and women with disabilities; Asha Joyti for women in Hari Nagar; and Asha Deep for men in Narela.Till Aug 7, around 14 male inmates and 10 female inmates have been moved to Asha Deep and Asha Joyti, respectively. “Further, to decongest Asha Kiran, adult male dormitory number 6 is being made functional and the auditorium is being put to use on a temporary basis,” a social welfare department report submitted to Delhi High Court on Wednesday said.TOI had earlier reported that Asha Kiran, which has a capacity for 500, houses 1,000 inmates. The article also highlighted the staff crunch at the facility.In the report from the department, it was mentioned that currently at Asha Kiran, among the health cadre, there are 12 posts, including GDMOs, a paediatrician, and a clinical psychologist, that are vacant. Further, among the cadre, there are around 75 posts, including caregivers, cooks, and special educators, that are also vacant.Speaking to TOI, the medical team from Asha Kiran said that the 24 inmates have ‘mild’ intellectual disabilities (those with IQ between 51-71 and are partly educable and trainable).The medical staff of Asha Kiran told TOI, “As per the procedure, if inmates from Asha Kiran are moved, the first clearance should be taken from the psychiatrist. However, that has not been done. The movement has been done in a hushed manner.”TOI also found out that both Asha Deep and Asha Joyti were already full. With more inmates moving in, Asha Deep now has a total strength of 141 inmates and Asha Joyti 130. TOI found that currently, Asha Joyti and Asha Deep both have one visiting doctor for three days a week (9 am -4.30 pm) and have vacancies for occupational therapists and physiotherapists.The caretakers from both Asha Deep and Asha Joyti, on condition of anonymity, said that despite the increase in inmates, no additional staff has been deployed.“We have written to the department on the need for new staff, including special educators and physical instructors. Currently, the Auxiliary Nurses (ANMs) have to take up these roles while providing basic care to the inmates. There is an urgent need to strengthen the rehabilitation staff as inmates who are here have intellectual disabilities and need cognitive development. The need is for occupational therapists and physiotherapists,” an officer of Asha Joyti said on the condition of anonymity.AAP govt gave no reply when asked about what additional facilities are being made to accommodate new inmates at Asha Joyti and Asha Deep.