Dhaka Bureau: Compared to patients, there is a shortage of psychiatrists in our country. Even for those doctors who are there, there is not enough training. Saima Wazed Putul, Chairperson of Souchna Foundation and Advisor to UN Secretary General on Mental Health.
He said, our research on mental health in MN is very less. Doctors are not getting the necessary training in mental health. They need a lot more training on this.
Saima Wazed Puthul said these things while participating virtually in a workshop entitled ‘Review of mental health care at the community level’ at the meeting room of the National Mental Health Institute and Hospital on Sunday (November 6).
There should be a regulatory committee on mental health in Bangladesh, but there is none, said Saima Wazed Putul.
He said, it has not happened in the last 15 years. Without this committee, we would not understand who or who is providing appropriate mental health treatment.
Optimistically, he said, “We have a mental health institute, it just needs to be improved.” Mental health treatment is not very good in any country. There are many opportunities to work on this in our country.
Saima Wazed said that there is a shortage of psychiatrists in Bangladesh. Besides, Bangladesh has several tasks in the field of mental health, including the formulation of laws, policies and strategies. It is now necessary to bring mental health services to the doorsteps of the people at the grass root level. Along with mental health care, it is also important to create awareness about mental health among people.
He said, if there is no service center in any hospital, there will be no good treatment. So, there is no benefit in just building a new hospital. In addition to increasing beds in hospitals, we need more training for those who are providing medical care.
Minister of Health and Family Welfare Zahid Malek was present as the chief guest in the event, Secretary of Health Department was present as a special guest. Mu. Anwar Hossain Howlader. Director General of the Department of Health chaired by Professor Dr. Abul Basar Mohammad Khurshid Alam.
