KARACHI, July 7: The Institute of Clinical Psychology, the University of Karachi, is daily visited by around 50 people belonging to middle class for treatment of psychological problems.

This was stated by the ICP Director Prof Seema Munaaf while giving a briefing to the Karachi University's vice-chancellor Prof (Dr) Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, who visited the institute on Wednesday.

Prof Seema said that all the visiting patients were provided consultation and advice according to the nature of their problems. However, she said, the patients who needed hospitalization could not be admitted to the ICP as it was not a full-fledged hospital. In such cases, the patients were shifted to local hospitals after mutual agreement, she said.

She said that around 30 male and female students visited the institute to get training and one-year diploma. She further said that high quality training was imparted to the visiting students.

Six of the internees were expected to submit their theses for PhD this year, she said and added that four other students would hopefully complete their doctorate degrees next year.

Seema Munaaf told the vice-chancellor that it was the only institution in the country providing training to the patients for solution of their psychological problems.

She said that special arrangements were made at the institute for occupational therapy, group therapy, psychological and recreational therapies. The vice-chancellor said that special attention must be paid to the poor and needy patients.

About financial support in this regard, he said that there were a number of philanthropists in the city who were ready to offer monetary assistance. Saying that restoring human life is equal to worship, the vice-chancellor said that the institute of clinical psychology must continue to serve the humanity by maintaining its identity.

Earlier, balloting to select lower-grade employees of the ICP for Haj was held. A security guard, Shaukat Ali, was selected for performing Haj through the balloting.

SCHOLARSHIPS: The Institute of Clinical Psychology announced the names of lower-grade employees' children for provision of merit scholarships.

According to the ICP Director Prof Seema Munaaf, 15 children were selected on merit for scholarships after considering their performance at schools. The children would be provided Rs100 per month for the whole year to continue their education, she said. - APP/PPI