KARACHI: Highlighting the shortage of trained psychiatrists in the country, speakers at a programme held to mark World Mental Health Day stressed the need for training general physicians, paramedical staff, lady health workers and schoolteachers to identify and recognise mental health issues.

The Pakistan Association for Mental Health (PAMH) organised a programme to celebrate World Mental Health Day with this year’s theme ‘mental health is a universal human right’ here at the Arts Council.

Speaking on the occasion, rights activist Anis Haroon, who is also a member of the National Commission of Human, highlighted the current state of human rights in the country.

She discussed the issues of missing persons, intolerance towards minorities, recent outbreaks of violence and the overall economic uncertainty in the country.

Pakistan has only one psychiatrist for 400,000 people, says PAMH president Dr Wasif

PAMH president and senior psychiatrist Dr Syed Ali Wasif told the gathering that health was defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

“To achieve this state of health, social well-being and human rights must be adequately addressed. While physical and psychological health is crucial, the most integral part is social health, which includes human rights and forms the fundamental aspect of the system,” he said.

He said that each person suffering from mental health issues should have access to quality care. “Access to mental health is a universal right for all human beings, irrespective of religion, caste, or class.”

“The shortage of trained psychiatrists is a significant challenge, with one psychiatrist serving 400,000 people, making it nearly impossible to provide the required level of care,” he said.

He said that there was a strong need to train general physicians, paramedical staff, lady health workers, and schoolteachers to identify and recognise mental health issues.

Dr Muzaffar Hussain, a forensic psychiatrist from the UK, critically analysed the existing situation, highlighted gaps in the Mental Health Act, and discussed the role of mental health authorities.

Dr Sarah Gill, Advocate Nisha Rao, Dr Ajmal Mughal, Dr Chooni Lal, Dr Washdev Amar, Faris Mughal and Madiha Rana also spoke.

Earlier, the event commenced with the inauguration of pharmaceutical stalls by Prof Dr Syed Haroon Ahmed, the patron-in-chief of the PAMH, followed by a rendition of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s Bol ke Lub Azad Hain Tere, by Dr Rubina Kidwai.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2023