11 April 2004	Sunday	20 Safar 1425

KARACHI, April 10: The federal health ministry is currently in the process of incorporating updated interventions pertaining to psychiatric ailments, as well as mental diseases , in the national primary health care programme.

This was stated by the federal Minister for Health Mohammad Nasir Khan while addressing the annual symposium of Markaz-i-Nafsiyat, an institute of psychiatry and hypnotherapy.

He underscored the need for general realization that health was actually a state of complete mental, physical and social fitness of any individual.

Calling for an adequate understanding with regard to the relationship between mental health and physical fitness, he regretted the stigma attached to the former was preventing many from seeking proper support, ultimately leaving a significant number not only to suffer in isolation but also rendering them incapable of becoming a useful member of society.

The government, fully conscious of the situation, has adopted certain measures, including the enforcement of a fully fledged national mental health policy, besides making concerted efforts to improve the social status of women and children.

Describing women and children as the most abused segments of the society, the minister said: "Since this is registered to enhance their vulnerability to distress and psychological disorders, hence concrete measures are being adopted to help them."

Mr Khan, in this context, sought close coordination and collaboration among communities, public sector institutions and NGOs, and added that the issues being too complicated, had to be addressed at varied levels.

As for the steps taken to implement the recommendations made under the national mental health policy, he said that the process was under way to incorporate them in the national primary health care programme. Launching of four pilot projects in different parts of the country with emphasis on cost-effective mental health care facilities is also in the offing.

Pointing out that depression might emerge as one of the four most common causes leading to disability of an individual, the minister announced setting up of a committee of psychiatrists to review the steps taken by the government and to recommend measures to make the efforts increasingly meaningful.

The minister announced an annual donation of drugs worth Rs100,000 for the Markaz-i-Nafsiyat which offers free assistance to psychiatric patients.

Earlier, Prof Mohammad Riaz Bhatti, Head of the Psychiatry Department at King Edward Medical College, discussed 'Depressive Disorders' and mentioned that four per cent of women and two per cent of men population were suffering from depression.

He also referred to a study suggesting that almost 30 per cent of all physical ailments of comparatively mild nature were actually an outcome of mental distress and depression.

Regretting that depression, despite gaining roots in local population, is largely ignored, Prof Bhatti warned that the situation was registered to lead to growing suicidal tendencies among the sufferers and, therefore, it was necessary to ensure proper diagnosis and timely intervention.

Dr Shahin Haye Hussain, in her presentation 'Stress Management', said that psychiatric disorders were often not properly understood. She also dispelled the impression that people from lower segments and socio-economic groups did not suffer from depression.

According to her, a major turnout of patients at local clinics revealed growing psychotic disorders among the poor class, mainly due to fast increasing economic pressures.

Prof Haroon Rasheed, Head of the Psychiatry Department, FJMC, Lahore, in his presentation 'Happiness is around you' highlighted significance of community-based projects under psychiatric care programmes.

He also discussed the 'Fountain House Project' for individuals suffering from schizophrenia and other psychological problems, as well as neurological disorders.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Huma Pasha, Razia Bhawani and Sajid Zahid.

Later, shields were given away to the speakers and volunteers of the institute. -APP