Qarayat District in Jeddah explain the story of a homeless, mentally-sick man who has been threatening people on the streets with a meat cleaver. Left: The men point to the mentally-sick man's residence. — Al-Madina photos JEDDAH – The Director of the Mental Health Hospital in Jeddah, Dr. Suhail Abdul Hameed Khan has said that a center will be set up to take care of homeless people in the Makkah Region. He said: “Homelessness is a universal problem and is not limited to the Kingdom. Several ministries such as those of the interior, social affairs and health are responsible for such people.” Dr. Khan, was quoted in sections of the Arabic media, as saying that most homeless people in the Kingdom suffer from multiple health problems including mental disorders, which is why their families cannot take care of them. The news of a new facility for the homeless will relieve residents of Al-Qarayat District in Jeddah who were recently terrified by a homeless man who roamed the streets with a meat cleaver and threatened young girls before he was eventually stopped by a brave passerby. Ali Bal'oose, a citizen, said: “This homeless man is 30-years-old and always carries a cleaver in his hand and threatens people. His family couldn't control him because he suffers from a psychotic disorder.” Muhammad Farsani said: “We want a solution for this problem, which scares us a lot. We're worried about our children. Some men have saved young girls from this homeless man.” Hadi Al-Kharmi, who lives opposite to the homeless man, demanded an urgent solution to this problem. “My father is 80-years-old. What is he going to do if this mentally-sick man attacks him with the cleaver? Who is going to bring us justice if this patient does something wrong to us?” However, Abdullah Bin Mahfoud, director of a rehabilitation department in Makkah region, said that such cases of homeless individuals with mental health problems are the responsibility of the Ministry of Health. “Our role is to improve the social status of these people by providing them social relief on a monthly basis.” Bin Mahfoud said that it is highly unlikely that such homeless people will be admitted into rehabilitation centers. “They usually cause a lot of trouble and noise and they won't be accepted in these centers.” Meanwhile, the Taif Directorate of Health Affairs said that it is not responsible for dealing with the increasing number of mental health patients found on the streets. Spokesman Siraj Homaid said: “These patients are not registered at the Mental Health Hospital in Taif.” However Taif residents are growing alarmed at what they say is an increasing number of homeless people suffering from mental problems. One resident said: “Just because the Taif Directorate said it was not responsible for these cases does not absolve it of its responsibilities and duties. It should take care of these patients and provide special centers for them.”
