Caretaker Provincial Health Minister Prof. Dr. Javed Akram participated as a special guest in the ceremony organized

Lahore,  : Caretaker Provincial Health Minister Prof. Dr. Javed Akram participated as a special guest in the ceremony organized on the occasion of World Mental Health Day at Punjab Institute of Mental Health. On this occasion, Deputy Secretary Admin Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Mirza Waleed  Baig, Executive Director Punjab Institute of Mental Health Farrukh Abdullah, Prof. Dr. Ali Madih Hashmi and a large number of patients of the rehab center including faculty members participated. Caretaker Provincial Health Minister Prof. Dr. Javed Akram led the awareness walk on the occasion and also visited the paintings stalls.

Caretaker Provincial Health Minister Prof. Dr. Javed Akram while addressing the participants of the event said that Punjab Institute of Mental Health will be made a center of excellence.  Mental health is a fundamental right of every human being. Many people are facing mental stress in their daily life. I had been the opportunity to serve humanity in five countries of the world. Doctors treat patients and become part of their prayers. There is a need to spread awareness about the rehabilitation of mentally ill patients in our society. Our system makes us dependent on each other.  We invest in people in Pakistan. Our patients are our capital. We pray to Allah that these people will be healthy and play an important role in the development of the society.  October 10 is Mental Health Day celebrated all over the world. Pakistan is going to become the third largest country in the world in terms of population after thirty years. There is only one psychiatric hospital for seven lacs people in Pakistan. Mental health services need to be improved. Many mental health patients in Pakistan go unreported. Action will be taken against quacks  in Punjab. A mentally ill person needs more attention than a normal person. The girls of the rehab center of Punjab Institute of Mental Health have presented a wonderful performance. Mentally ill patients are not disabled but differently abled. There should be counseling for patients suffering from mental diseases. Professor Dr. Javed Akram said that he congratulated the administration for organizing the event organized on the occasion of World Mental Health Day. Punjab Institute is bringing reforms for the further improvement of mental health. In the near future, efforts will be made to create more facilities for the patients admitted to the Punjab Institute of Mental Health. The ongoing development projects in Punjab Institute of Mental Health will be completed on schedule. An entire Department of Physiotherapy is being established at the Punjab Institute of Mental Health. We want to take Punjab Institute of Mental Health to the next level. Punjab Institute of Mental Health has 1530 beds. Addiction center beds of Punjab Institute of Mental Health are being increased. Punjab Institute of Mental Health is the largest teaching institute in Pakistan for the treatment of patients suffering from mental disorders. Government is providing free facilities of medicine, diagnostics, accommodation and food to the patients admitted in Punjab Institute of Mental Health. The number of doctors in Punjab Institute of Mental Health will also be filled on priority basis.  Punjab Institute of Mental Health is taking better measures for the rehabilitation of mentally ill patients. The government also plans to provide accommodation to PIMH doctors.

On this occasion, Executive Director of Punjab Institute of Mental Health Dr. Farrukh Abdullah expressed her gratitude and said that we are grateful to caretaker provincial health minister Prof. Dr. Javed Akram for coming to the event. World Mental Health Day is a day to give best attention to patients suffering from mental disorders. On behalf of the entire team, we thank the guests who came to the event.