KARACHI: Over 700 patients were examined at a free mental health camp recently organised at Syed Abdullah Shah Institute of Medical Sciences (SASIMS) in Sehwan, Jamshoro district.

The camp was organised by Sindh Mental Health Authority (SMHA) in collaboration with Sir Cowasji Jahangir Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (SCJIP), Hyderabad and Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences.

The first psychiatric camp in Sehwan, the initiative aimed to address pressing mental health challenges faced by the community.

“A significant number of patients were found to be suffering from depression, anxiety and drug addiction that seemed to be associated with rising poverty in the aftermath of floods and Covid-19.

“The lack of psychiatrists at the institute also emerged as a significant challenge and that SMHA would request the health department to appoint psychiatrists and psychologists there. The patients attending the camp were also provided with medicines,” says a press release.

The experts in attendance included Director SASIMS Dr Moin Siddique, SMHA chairman Dr Karim Ahmed Khawaja, Secretary SMHA Dr Syed Zafar Mehdi and Medical Superintendent SCJIP Dr Hameed Bandhani.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2024