In the quake-wrecked areas, psychological problems, severe mental disorder and other related diseases were spreading among the affected people, which could cast long lasting impacts on their lives in coming years.
Chief Co-ordinator for Rehabilitation of Mental Health to Quake Afectees, nominated by Ministry of Health, and the head of the Psychology Department of Jinnah Hospital, Professor Dr Musarrat Husain said this while addressing here on Tuesday to a meeting of senior psychologists belonging to various districts of Sindh.
He urged that measures should be taken soon to rehabilitate to affected people. He apprised the meeting that federal government had chalked out a comprehensive plan for helping mentally disturbed people in quake-hit areas.
In this regard, he said, proper training would be impart to psychologists in the first phase by social workers and psychologists, keeping in view the problems being faced in quake devastated areas.
In this connection, a three-day training workshop is to be held at Jinnah Hospital after Eid, he said, adding that the said workshop would be organised according to WHO suggestions.
During the meeting, short and long-term strategies were formed and it was decided to send different teams of psychologists to Azad Kashmir and NWFP after Eid.
Expressing his concern about some organisations using non-scientific methods for treatment in the area, he asked that the organisations and people wish to serve there could contact to the camp for mental health at the Psychology Department of JPMC established by Ministry of Health.
Assist Professor to Psychology, Humdard University, Dr Majid Ali Abadi appreciated the govet's decision to form steering committee headed by Professor Mussart.