MITHI: The Sindh Mental Health Authority (SMHA) has recently launched telepsychiatry services in Tharparkar district where recent studies and surveys have indicated an alarming frequency of depression, suicide and substance abuse.

The multi-stakeholder initiative involves government agencies and non-government organisations; Thar Foundation, health department, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatry (SCHIP) in Hyderabad.

The launch ceremony held at Thar Foundation Hospital in Islamkot was attended by SMHA chairman Dr Karim Khawja, MNA Dr Mahesh Milani and medical superintendent of SCHIP Dr Pehlaj Mul, among others.

“We have set up services for telepsychiatry at Thar Foundation Hospital in Islamkot. The step follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding in February this year,” secretary SMHA Dr S. Zafar Mehdi told Dawn.

Under the agreement, he explained, patients with mental health issues would be provided online consultation from senior experts working at JPMC, DUHS and SCHIP.

“These consultations would be organised through a video link while the patients would be identified by doctors at the hospital in Islamkot,” he said, adding that patients would get medicines free of cost.

According to him, a similar MoU signed two years back could not work out due to financial constraints, forcing the officials concerned to plan for a setup that involves minimum expenditure.

“That’s the benefit of telemedicine. Now, patients would get free consultation from seasoned experts in their field without the hassle of travelling long distances in search of treatment.”

Recent studies conducted in Thar have shown a high prevalence of mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, psychosis and learning disabilities.

The desert region has also reported a high number of suicide cases.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2023