ISLAMABAD: Out of 2,822 patients screened by 122 general practitioners (GPs) trained to identify mental health problems last year, nearly 83 percent of them showed symptoms of depression, health experts revealed. , while 68% of 1302 patients developed anxiety symptoms. The 24th International Psychological Conference, which concluded here on Friday.
These GPs were trained by the Global Institute for Human Development (GIHD) at Shifa Tamir Millat University (STMU) in collaboration with the Central Institute of Family Physicians to implement a mental health based Universal Health Coverage (UHC) benefit package. could Instructions
The training enabled GPs to provide early diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems in community settings. GIHD officials said serious cases were referred to psychiatrists for advanced care and rehabilitation.
“Mental health problems are on the rise, yet we have less than 1,000 trained and qualified psychiatrists in the country. Training general physicians and family doctors to identify mental illnesses is a commendable and necessary step,” ” Dr. Shabana Saleem, Director General Health said while addressing the seminar ‘Integrating Mental Health in Primary Care’.
Dr. Shabana highlighted the efforts of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination (NHSRC), including signing an MoU with STMU for this initiative and launching mental health helplines to promote services. are included. He also highlighted the lack of child psychiatrists and the neglect of children’s mental health.
The use of Lady Health Workers to identify mental health problems among women and children has been beneficial. Now, this programme, in collaboration with the government, WHO and the British Asian Trust, could be a game-changer, integrating mental health into primary care.
Dr. Syed Usman Hamdani, Founder Director of GIHD-STMU, explained how the Post Graduate Certificate Course in Mental Health and Research, integrated with Diploma in Family Medicine, trains GPs to provide evidence-based mental health care. is
“The program has trained 341 family physicians and general practitioners, provided screening and intervention to more than 10,000 patients in primary care settings over the past two years,” said Dr. Hamdani. UHC benefit packages efficiently.
Vice-Chancellor STMU Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Khan and Dean Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aamir praised GIHD’s program for its potential to revolutionize mental health care. “Former SAPM Dr. Zafar Mirza termed the program as a “game changer” and stressed the need to scale it up nationally.
“Without mental wellness, universal health coverage cannot move forward. This university-led model is a blueprint for addressing mental health treatment gaps in low-income countries.