Senate body to hear grievances of mental health centres today

ISLAMABAD: While the Islamabad Health Regulatory Authority (IHRA) has launched scrutiny of different therapy centres in the twin cities in the wake of Noor Mukadam’s murder, the Senate Committee on National Health Services Regulation and Coordination is meeting today (Friday) to hear the grievances of mental wellness and rehabilitation centres.

A copy of the notification, available with The News, shows briefing by the rehab centres on their grievances regarding their scrutiny by IHRA on its agenda. A health ministry official, requesting anonymity, said the authority has listed 34 mental centres operating in the twin cities with over 25 in Islamabad, shared their list with this correspondent.

When contacted, IHRA Chief Executive Dr Quaid Saeed confirmed that the scrutiny was under way. He said many unprofessional practices and inhuman conditions had been

noticed at certain clinics where patients were kept against their will. Besides, he said, absence of psychiatrist and psychologists had been noticed. They are either not available, or are on call, with no direct interaction with patients, Dr Quaid added.

Following the gruesome murder of Noor Mukadam, 16 psychiatric and rehab centres were visited by IHRA inspection teams over the last week. Out of 16, 13 were issued notices to improve their services as per IHRA MSDS (Minimum Service Delivery Standards). The authority directed them to get registered with the IHRA. In addition, services of one clinic were suspended while two centres were found closed at the time of visit.