The federal government has set up the countrys first public sector National Autism and Mental Health Centre for children in Islamabad.
According to reports, the center was inaugurated by Minister of National Health Services Abdul Qadir Patel. This cutting-edge facility has been built at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
On the occasion, the minister stated that this will be the country’s first high-quality center. He stated that in the first phase, the center will provide diagnostic and therapeutic services through its outpatient section (OPD).
He also stated that patients will be able to receive free medical counseling on many areas of the disease, such as diagnostic and therapy management, at the center.
Moreover, he stated that an estimated 0.4 million persons in the country are Autism sufferers and that the biggest challenge in Pakistan is a diagnosis of the disorder since there have been cases of incorrect diagnoses.
Patients in Pakistan, he claims, experiences similar challenges regarding treatment and availability of services. He went on to say that this is a significant development in the health sector because the administration is devoted to serving the people of Pakistan.
He added that the current government is focusing on its health reform agenda in order to effect positive change in the health sector and improve the standard of health service delivery.
The minister noted that legislation for the protection of children with Autism and mental disorders will be introduced in parliament. A survey will be carried out in the country to collect the data of such children, he added.
In addition, he said that UNICEF was willing to cooperate with the government in this regard. Practical and effective measures are being taken to bring improvement in the health sector, the health minister said.
Sources reported that there is a non-profit organization in Karachi called the Karachi Down Syndrome Program (KDSP), and they are doing an excellent job. And now it’s finally going to happen at the government level.