Govt asked to broaden scope of health psychology

LAHORE

The three-day international conference on “Health Psychology: Issues and Challenges” concluded at the Government College University (GCU) here on Friday with recommendations to the government, academicians and departments concerned to broaden the scope of health psychology, define standards of training of health psychologists in Pakistan and create jobs in hospitals, think-tanks and educational institutions especially schools for the qualified health psychologists.

More than 600 scholars and faculty members from 35 universities of Pakistan and delegates from Germany, the United Kingdom and Canada participated in 15 scientific sessions of the conference jointly organised by the GCU Psychology Department, Higher Education Commission (HEC), Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) and Punjab AIDS Control Programme.

The speakers also deliberated upon organsing the Pakistan Association of Health Psychology and launching a research journal on health psychology in Pakistan for which world renowned psychologist and author Dr Christopher Lweis promised to provide his expert services.

“All the speakers at the conference have empirically emphasised on the role of religion, mysticism, and spirituality in preserving physical and mental health in the healing process,” said Dr Syeda Shahida Batool, the conference chairman, addressing the concluding ceremony chaired by Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Chairman Prof Dr Muhammad Nizamuddin.

Dr Nizam laid a stress on indigenous research on health psychology, saying that that every society and culture had its own particular requirements. He said there were peace, tolerance and security on the GCU campus in comparison to other universities because this university had strong traditions, culture and a system of student societies i.e. debating, drama, quiz which kept students engaged throughout the year in healthy activities of art and culture. 

Dr Richard Dr Visser from University of Sussex, UK, said his interaction with Pakistani psychology students during the conference was phenomenal, and he himself had learnt a lot from them.

He said there was strong realisation in the world to focus on health psychology to modify human behaviours that had been implicated in the chronic illness, relieve pain and reduce stress.

GCU Vice-Chancellor Prof Hassan Amir Shah and GCU Faculty of Social Sciences Dean Prof Dr Tahir Kamran also spoke on the occasion.

women’s rights: A one-day awareness session was organised at Dar-ul Falah, Township, Lahore by Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW), under Transitional Housing for Women (THW). 

The major objective of this session was to enhance the knowledge of participants about women’s rights and their value in society and also to disseminate information on women’s protection laws and bills.

Sumera Saleem from Aurat Foundation remarked that it is a common observation that women’s rights are always violated in society. It is a sad fact that most of the time women are not considered equal to men as a result women are not granted equal rights.

She added that women in Pakistan need a greater share in decision making at all levels. 

Participants during the session shared their perspectives to improve the status and role of women to implement certain laws. Zainab Jafri, Project Manager PCSW, in her closing remarks said that women are struggling for attaining more and more social and economic protection and empowerment. 

Sanitation: To promote the message of cleanliness through sermons, Albayrak Waste Management Company carried out cleanliness advocacy drive under the mosque awareness campaign in Jamia Mosque Aqsa, Sheran Wala Gate, here on Friday. 

Officials said Imam of the mosque, Hafiz Imran, requested the locals during his Friday sermon to cooperate with the waste management companies to ensure sanitation in the area. Local government representatives and students of City District Government Boys High School, Sheran Wala and another school also joined the activity. 

The communications team of Albayrak set up an awareness camp on the occasion. The officials distributed awareness literature and free bags among the area people. A walk was also held.