ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: The head of the Moscow-based Clinical Research Institute of Emergency Surgery and Trauma Centre, Professor Lowinda M Rochel, has warned that thousands of children could become “abnormal and disabled” if the government did not start a special programme for the treatment of quake-affected children.

The Russian professor made the observation at a press briefing on Thursday. According to Prof Rochel, many quake-affected children in Pakistan are suffering from mental disorders and physical disabilities owing to lack of psychiatrists and plastic surgery experts in the country.

“Pakistan does not have enough psychiatrists for the proper treatment of affected children, many of whom are suffering from mental disorders,” Prof Rochel said.

The limbs of quake-affected children are being amputated at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Polyclinic and other hospitals of Rawalpindi because of lack of plastic surgery experts, he said.

About 800 children who are in urgent need of psychiatric treatment and plastic surgery have been admitted to different hospitals.

Mr Rochel appealed to the Pakistan government to immediately set up a separate hospital and deploy psychiatrists and plastic surgeons there for the treatment of quake-hit children.

He said he had held meetings with Health Minister Nasir Khan and other concerned officials in this regard and suggested that a programme be initiated for the treatment of quake-stricken children.

“We are ready to collaborate with Pakistan in the effort to launch a programme for quake-affected children,” he added. —Online