SUKKUR, July 4: Mental and neurological disorders were responsible for 25 to 30 per cent of the world’s disability and mortality rate and make the second largest contribution to the global burden of disease.

Dr Kartar Lal Pamnani, consultant psychiatrist, Civil Hospital Sukkur, said this while addressing the concluding session of a four-day training workshop on awareness of mental health, organized by the Department of Psychiatry, Civil Hospital Sukkur, in collaboration with the National Project for Integration of Mental Health in primary health care and WHO at the Health Technician School, Sukkur.

Giving details of WHO estimates, he said at least 450 million people were believed to be suffering from neuro-psychiatric problems and about 15 to 35 per cent of the first level care consultations were mainly due to psychological disorders.

He said that one million people committed suicide in 1999 and 10 to 20 million people attempted suicide.

He said that depression affects about four people in every 100, psychosis affects about one person in every 100, and added that in Pakistan the situation was not different, and almost the same figures were applicable.

Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, MNA, chief guest of the training workshop, said that mental diseases mostly prevailed in under-developed countries of the world due to poverty and injustice, and added that the problem could be addressed by creating a healthy environment.

The ceremony was also attended by the Taluka Nazim, Sukkur, Syed Kazim Ali Shah; the EDO, Health, Dr Ashfaq Ahmed Piracha; and the EDO, Ghotki.