720,000 mentally retarded persons in country

A recent survey has estimated that there are some 720,000 mentally retarded persons in Nepal.

A survey carried out by Mentally Impaired Welfare Organisation said that of the total victims, 40 per cent children below fourteen years age are mentally retarded.

It is said that 10 per cent people out of the total population are disabled.

The state run news agency Rastriya Samachar Samiti quoted, General Secretary of the National Disable Federation Nepal Mitra Lal Sharma as saying that disabled need help while eating, dressing up, sleeping and in other works, therefore the state, civic society and NGOs should work jointly to provide more facilities and extra care to the mentally impaired persons.

According to a survey, it is stated that there are 250 scientific reasons behind being mentally retarded.

Meanwhile, the Mentally Impaired Welfare Organisation from its various branches in 22 districts has been providing assistance to some 5,000 mentally impaired persons throughout the country. nepalnews.com pb Apr 25 06