CONTRARY to what a considerable number of people think, the importance of mental health in Karachi was realised at a larger scale decades before the Covid pandemic hit the city. The Sindh capital has always been cognizant of the serious issue. Here’s a piece of evidence. On Nov 19, 1972 a two-day seminar was held at the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) House in Karachi on ‘The organisation of mental health services in Pakistan’ under the auspices of the Pakistan Association for Mental Health.
Inaugurating the two-day programme, Professor of Psychiatrics, University of Edinburgh and President of the World Federation of Mental Health, Dr G M Carstairs stressed the need for developing a network of psychiatric services in Pakistan because of the country’s socio-cultural factors. He also outlined the efforts made by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in improving mental health services in Asia. He claimed that the WHO had already suggested to various countries that a comprehensive plan on a priority basis was essential to face the challenges that mental illnesses pose.
That was not the solitary health-related meeting — or any meeting for that matter — which took place that week. On Nov 15, in the concluding session of a two-day seminar held at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) it was brought to light that the incidence of smallpox in Karachi was found to be the highest — 2,671 cases — in the last six years as compared to the prevalence of disease in other districts of the province.
Dr M Chamsa, WHO adviser for Sindh, in his research paper on ‘smallpox eradication’ said the disease was heavily endemic in Sindh and suggested that beside extensive vaccination, surveillance teams at the district level should be strengthened for proper follow-up of cases. He added that in the last six years, 6,904 cases were reported from the province out of which 2,671 were from its capital, the smallest district area-wise.
The next day, on Nov 16, something pretty different and distinct was discussed when a sizable audience at a symposium at Hotel Metropole heard eminent Urdu humourist Ibrahim Jalees speak about the ‘biological theory of rumours and their shattering impact on national character’.
He cautioned the people against their favourite pastime of concocting stories which could mean that the nation was not capable of better and more productive activities. He was of the view that such an activity should be shunned for good. Presiding over the event, the Provincial Minister for Revenue and Law, Syed Qaim Ali Shah asked the people to refrain from rumour-mongering because it was dangerous for the country.
And on Nov 13, as reported in Dawn on Nov 14, rich tributes were paid to the late Hasan Nasir by political workers, students, labourers and intellectuals at an event arranged to commemorate his 12th death anniversary at Katrak Hall.
Speakers demanded an inquiry into his death by a commission to be headed by a judge of the Supreme Court. On the occasion, renowned thinker Syed Sibte Hasan recounted the contributions of Hasan Nasir to, and the sacrifices he made for, the restoration of democracy in the country.
Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2022
