Effect of Charity Rehabilitation Centers on the Welfare of Mentally Disabled Children

One of the problems with which mentally challenged children and adolescents are faced in the healthcare systems of the world is that the importance of their problems have often been neglected by decision-makers. 1 The problem looks more severe when we investigate health care services to mentally disable children. Generally, a child's health problem creates an economic burden for families but caring for a child with mental problems affects financial situation of families more as compared to caring for a child with other disorders. 2 The available economic resources to provide high quality services for the mentally challenged children are limited. In many countries, mental disorders are a source of fear by people and it might even lead to rejection of the mentally challenged by the community. 3 There are many shortcomings in the welfare of children with mental health problems. One of the ways to overcome these shortcomings is involvement of non-governmental organizations(NGOs). 3 In many countries, NGOs are in charge of health services in particular areas or among specific populations. 4 Their significant part in global health diplomacy shows the emergence of this field. 5 The involvement of grassroots communities help is of utmost importance in providing care for the mentally disabled. 3 The role of privately funded sectors in providing an alternative to public sector services should be considered as a possible solution for limited resources. There are 10,000 registered NGOs in healthcare fields of activities in Iran. 6 The citizens of Fars province have donated approximately thirty eight billion Tomans (Iranian currency), to the health care centers across the province from 2002 to 2005. There are 2 known charity centers in Iran for mentally disabled children, i.e. Shiraz Narjes in Shiraz and Kahrizak in Tehran. 3 Although the health care expenditures have been increased rapidly over the past few years in Iran, 7 these NGOs continue to provide their services for the disabled. We would like to introduce Shiraz Narjes as an example of the role of NGO in healthcare system for the mentally disabled children in Iran. It provides residential, medical, educational and rehabilitation services to mentally challenged children. This organization was first launched in 1976 as a governmental organization for children with mental problems in Fars province. In 1988, the government of Iran privatized most organizations to stimulate the economy of the country. 7 " Shiraz Narjes " became a private institute in 1995 …