Robust checks a must at orphanages: Activists

Hyderabad: The lack of a robust monitoring system — rooted in the illegal mushrooming of such homes to some extent — is the primary reason for abuse of inmates in orphanages or child care institutions (CCI), say child right activists.

- Nirupa.Vatyam timesgroup.com

“There needs to be a monitoring framework. The state should maintain inspection reports, past incidents at an orphanage, issues, and warnings, among others. Even in the last couple of incidents, did they pull out the records of the CCIs? We can’t keep reacting only when something untoward happens,” said Isidore Phillips, director of Divya Disha, who was also a member of the State Inspection Committee (SIC).

As per the rulebook, these committees must visit CCIs at least once in three months in a team comprising a minimum of three members (at least one woman) and a medical officer. They are expected to interact with children there and take note of their well-being.