KARACHI, Dec 30: Professionals of mental health, at a meeting here on Monday, expressed concern over the recent developments at the Institute of Behavioural Sciences (IBS) and passed a unanimous resolution for the restoration of its legitimate management.

The resolution described the recent developments at the IBS, a project of Pakistan Association of Mental Health, as ‘disturbing’ and said that the professionals were seriously concerned over the situation.

It observed that the IBS was created for the promotion of mental health services and that the institute was extending a high quality service to the deserving people of Sindh.

The resolution opposed any role to be played by donors in making and implementing policies of the IBS.

The professionals who attended the meeting were Abul Faizi, Samina Matin, Unaiza Niaz, Amanat Mohsin, Dr Zainab, Dr Nurjehan, Anwer Mangi, Shaheen Hussain, Inam Shabbir, S. Zafar Haider, Karim Khawaja, Ijlal Mazahary, M. Ishaque Sarhandi, Amin Gadit, Najmi Chugtai, Yahya Aamir, Inam Rasool, Qazi Irshad Ahmad, M. Qasim, S. Baqar Raza, Khalid Mirza, S. Ali Wasif, Munir Hamirani, M. Latif, Saeed Ahmad, Rubina Kidwai, Uzma Ambareen, Haider Ali G. Kazi and Prof S. Tipu Sultan, president of the Pakistan Medical Association.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Psychiatric Society, Sindh, has also expressed its concern over the developments at IBS. In a statement, issued here on Monday, the Society said that a large number of were suffering from mental disorders and they need an urgent attention. It acknowledge the valuable services of charitable organizations like the IBS in providing good services to the patients.

It noted with concern that the situation prevailing at the IBS had already resulted in an uproar in the media. It warned that the situation would impede the humanitarian cause besides creating misconception and triggering controversy.

The PPS advised all the concerned to resolve the differences and misunderstandings internally and settle all the issues by mutual consent.

It also called for upholding mutual respect in dealing with the situation as those involved in the whole affair were prestigious personalities with remarkable contribution to the humanitarian causes.

The society impressed upon the doctors that an immediate resolution of the problem was quite essential because the ultimate sufferers were the ailing people.