Minister for Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Khwaja Salman Rafique says the Mental Health Authority will be activated.The government is contemplating to introduce necessary amendments to the relevant legislation, enacted in 2004, the minister told after leading a walk arranged by the Punjab Institute of Mental Health (PIMH) in connection with the World Mental Health Day on Tuesday.mThe minister said the treatment facilities for the mentally-ill patients were being enhanced. All the tertiary care hospitals have full-fledged psychiatry departments while psychiatrists have been posted at district headquarters level healthcare facilities to treat patients, suffering from psychological disorders. However, it is the collective responsibility of society to be more caring toward such patients and do not make fun of them, said Khwaja Salman.
Positive attitude of the family and proper care of the mentally challenged and people having psychological disorders could help in amelioration of the symptoms of the disease and early recovery of the patients, he said. Appreciating the services of doctors, nurses and paramedics of the PIMH, the minister said these health professionals were doing tremendous job by taking care of people whose blood relations do not return to inquire after them after getting them admitted to the institution. Before the start of the walk, the minister inaugurated an exhibition of paintings and handicraft made by the inmates of the rehabilitation centre. Appreciating the artistic skills of the patients, Khwaja Salman gave Rs10,000 cash prize to them from his own pocket.
Earlier, at a seminar, PIMH Chief Executive Dr Nasir Mahmood Bhatti said his institution was providing treatment as well as rehabilitation facilities to the patients. Patients who start recovering are shifted to the rehabilitation centre of the PIMH where they are taught different skills according to their interest and tendency, he said and added that the method helps these patients go back and adjust in their community after complete recovery.