PESHAWAR, May 23: The United Nations High Commission for Refugees in collaboration with the Health Promotion Society will provide free medical treatment to Afghan refugees suffering from mental disorders.

This was decided in a meeting between officials of the UNHCR and the Health Promotion Society (HPS) at the Iftikhar Psychiatric Hospital on Tuesday, according to a press release.

The five-member UNHCR delegation comprising Stephanie Andrea, Dr Sasha Ali, Mr Changaiz, Qazi Tariq and Ms Hajira was briefed about the welfare activity of the HPS.

Members of the delegation said they had already been sending Afghan refugees with mental disorders to the Iftikhar Psychiatric Hospital for indoor management, but they wanted to know about the entire setup and facilities being provided to patients afflicted with psychiatric disorders.

The UNHCR delegate lauded efforts of the Health Promotion Welfare Society and Iftikhar Psychiatric Hospital in the field of mental health. It showed interest in strengthening coordination in different fields of mental health with the HPS and in the management of Afghan psychiatric patients under the Iftikhar Psychiatric Hospital.