Head of Banjarmasin Social Agency Iwan Ristianto. (Sukarli Ant)

People with mental illness (popularly know as ODGJ) are now the mostly inhabitants of the Banjarmasin Social Service stopover, not just for weeks or months, but for many years.


The reason is, said the agency's head Iwan Ristianto, they do not have families or families are unknown. ""On average the ODGJ at the shelter do not know their families, so they cannot be released or expelled," he pointed out here, Tuesday.

So far, the agency continues to do care for the ODGJ who do not have families until there is progress for healing for their mental health.

"The difficulty is there are also a number of them with disabilities, some are deaf, so they must be treated and given shelter," said Iwan.

Right now there were as many as 32 ODGJ at the shelter which named after"Baiman". 

"If only we know their family we expect them to care for the ODGJ, but if there isn't of course the government has the responsibility to care for and provide shelter for them for the sake of humanity," Iwan explained.

According to him, currently, the Banjarmasin City Government has declared itself as a city free of pasung (shackle) for ODGJ, for the sake of humanity and they have the right to receive health care from the government.

"If there are those who cannot afford it, they will be given assistance by the government through Jamkesda insurance, to be treated in Sambang Lihum Mental Hospital," he said.

According to him, quite a number of requests for the making of Jamkesda were processed by his agency, specifically to assist services for ODGJ whose families cannot afford.

"We hope that all can be well served, because this is very important for the benefit of the community," he concluded.

Pewarta: Sukarli

Editor : Mahdani


COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Kalimantan Selatan 2019