SHMA formed to protect civil rights of mentally sick people: Dr Khuwaja

The Chairperson of Sindh Mental Health Authority (SMHA), Senator Dr Karim Khuwaja has said that the SMHA was designed to protect basic human and civil rights of persons with mental illness and to improve the quality of care provided to them. Speaking at a seminar organized by SMHA to create awareness about the SMHA Act 2015, he said according to this law, Courts of Protection and District Magistrates will be specifically assigned to hear cases under this law.
Dr Khuwaja said that the present event which focuses on mental health professionals is a first step towards raising awareness and sensitizing different groups of stakeholders about the law. Future sessions are planned for members of the judiciary and lawyers, media, and general community and consumers of mental health services, he added.
Dr Khuwaja noted that he had recently presented a bill to decriminalize suicide and the bill was passed unanimously by the senate. He noted that the bill had been reviewed by the Islamic Ideology Council which has ruled in the favour of the bill and has said that there is nothing in the bill which could be labelled as against the spirit of Islam.
Chief guest Dr Syed Haroon Ahmed reiterated the importance of sensitizing the judiciary and the lawyers' community. Dr Rubeena Kidwai presented a brief history of mental health law in Pakistan and acknowledged the crucial role of many advocates and crusaders for the cause of mental health law over the last thirty years whose efforts had lead to current existence of SMHA.
Dr Muzaffar Husain, a UK based psychiatrist and expert in Forensic Psychiatry, conducted a lively, informative and interactive session on basic clauses of SMHA. He underscored the conditions under which "detention" or involuntary admission was necessary, such as when a person with mental illness poses serious threat to self or others.
Dr Ayub Shaikh pointed out that there are 129 Tehsils in Sindh but not enough psychiatrists/mental health professionals to cover the population of. He suggested that Sindh government should ensure that each of the Tehsils of Sindh should have at least one well trained and qualified psychiatrist.
Dr Zia Awan, Advocate of Supreme Court highlighted the need for the Sindh Mental Health Authority which should conduct strategic planning and develop a budget so that the next step towards implementing the law in its true spirit could be taken. He stated that the promulgation of the law is the first step but it is important to create a system and initiate a process to promote good, ethical practice.-PR