Sindh’s largest mental health facility in dire conditions

Hospital inspection reveals 6 vacant psychiatrist positions and 48 lower staff vacancies.

HYDERABAD:

The Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatry, the largest mental health facility in Sindh, is grappling with a shortage of essential resources, including psychiatrists, staff, and ambulances. These critical issues came to light during an inspection of the facility conducted by Chairperson Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Iqbal Detho in Hyderabad on Thursday.

During the inspection, it was revealed that the hospital currently has six vacant positions for psychiatrists and 48 vacancies for lower staff members. Moreover, the facility has only two ambulances, both of which are 30-year old. Detho expressed his concern over these shortcomings and pledged to urge the authorities to prioritise resource allocation and initiate recruitment processes asap.

Detho visited various sections of the hospital, including the outdoor patient department (OPD), narcotics ward, psychiatric emergency unit, women’s ward, sub-acute and treatment trial wards, and the forensic ward for under-trial prisoners. He stressed the importance of providing indoor recreational activities and music therapy, especially for patients struggling with substance abuse.

Detho announced that the Sindh Culture Department has committed to arranging a music teacher at the institute. Efforts will also be made to establish a partnership between the hospital and the Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA) to offer skill-based education to patients in recovery from substance abuse.

Highlighting another crucial aspect of mental healthcare, Detho proposed the establishment of an old age home within the institute to address the needs of the growing population of senior citizens requiring specialised care and support.

In addition to addressing staffing and infrastructure deficiencies, the SHRC underscores the importance of enhanced support services for patients with unknown family backgrounds. Detho proposed collaboration with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to identify and locate family members of such patients, facilitating faster recovery through restored family links.

Detho added that the draft rules of the Sindh Mental Health Act, 2019, have been finalised and will be submitted to the standing committee on health for further deliberation.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2024.