DERA GHAZI KHAN: A team of psychiatrists and psychologists found the psychological effects of the flood more drastic among the children, women and the elderly population that is dependent on others.

It also found long-term psychological effects of the flood like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety among the people who visited the camp at the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Taunsa Sharif.

The camp was arranged by the Psychiatry & Behavioural Sciences Department of Nishtar Medical University in collaboration with the Pakistan Psychiatric Society at the THQ Hospital Taunsa Sharif to address the mental health issues of the flood affected people of the area.

The team, also having medical officers and postgraduate residents, was led by the head of the department, Prof Dr Naeemullah Leghari.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Leghari said the recent floods had devastated thousands of lives in Pakistan and the nation faced not only financial losses but also psychological and physical health problems.

After the initial rehabilitation, he said, a camp was held in Taunsa Sharif, considering mental health issues of flood affected people.

Mr Leghari said 300 flood affected people from all walks of life, including women, children and the elderly, visited the camp and got psychological first aid while long-term psychological effects of the flood like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety were found among the people who visited the camp.

He added that those who needed biological treatment along with psychological intervention were provided with free medication.

Dr Leghari further said a liaison was developed with the THQ Hospital Taunsa Sharif for the patients who were in dire need of long-term biological and psychosocial interventions and they were registered for a regular follow-up at the psychiatric OPD of the Nishtar Medical University.

Prof Leghari said a research programme had also been planned with the collaboration of the Department of Clinical Psychology of the Punjab University to work psychological problems in the aftermath of flood at affected areas of tehsil Taunsa Sharif of district Dera Ghazi Khan.

Mr Leghari suggested that the lady health visitors, health workers should be trained at the Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences Department to provide treatment to the people at their doorstep.

RAID: Health Chief Executive Officer of Rajanpur Dr Abdul Hakeem Mastoi issued a show-cause notice to 12 doctors of the Rujhan Tehsil Headquarters Hospital for their absence from duty.

He paid a surprise visit to the hospital on Friday and found doctors, consultants, a nurse and a procurement officer absent.

Patients and their attendants complained about the negligence of the doctors and nurses.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2022