On the orders of Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, a 7-member committee was formed to determine the condition of patients at the Punjab Institute of Mental Health (PIMH) in Lahore.
Punjab Mental Health Authority member Dr Saad Bashir Malik was appointed as the committee chairman, while Dr Altaf Qadir, Dr Ali Madeeh Hashmi of KEMU, Associate Professor SIMS Dr Samaira Qamar, Associate Professor LGH Dr Faiza Athar, senior clinical psychologist SIMS Ms Aasia Manzoor and Executive Director Punjab Institute of Mental Health would form the rest of the committee.
The Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department issued a notification in this regard.
The committee would evaluate and audit patients to determine their fitness and possible discharge. The committee would also be authorised to recommend financial support to the patients’ families, while the Social Welfare and Baitul-Maal Department and law enforcement agencies would extend the necessary support to the committee for the rehabilitation of the patients. ED PIMH would ensure the implementation of the committee’s recommendations.
Caretaker CM Naqvi emphasized that rehabilitated patients have the right to return to their homes. He said that it is inappropriate for recovered patients to remain in the hospital.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 4th, 2023.
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