KARACHI, May 17: The Pakistan Association for Mental Health has expressed concern over delay in the implementation of Mental Health Ordinance 2001, which is considered as the only legal provision towards the rights of mentally ill people.

In a statement, PAMH President Prof Haroon S. Ahmad said that despite lapse of considerable time following the promulgation of the ordinance, which replaced the Lunacy Act 1912, its implementation was still not visible.

Prof Haroon said that the authorities concerned were not paying due attention to the implementation despite repeated reminders and requests. He said that till date no court had been redesigned or established to serve as Courts of Protection, in line with the ordinance, to ensure that the legal and human rights of mentally ill persons were upheld.

It was further said that though a board had been named by the Sindh government to inspect and monitor the existing psychiatric facilities, it could not be witnessed so far functional. As such the purpose to ensure that the psychiatric treatment and care that was being provided at the centres was within proper legal and ethical guidelines and that no abusive or inappropriate treatment was being meted out to patients was also remain unserved, said a press release of the PAMH.

The government, media and citizens were urged to look into the matter and ensure implementation of the MHO 2001.