- Advertisement -
HYDERABAD, Nov 16 (APP): The Human Rights Department, Government of Sindh, conducted a high-level visit and coordination meeting at Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatry, Hyderabad. The meeting was chaired by Agha Fakhur Hussain, Director (Human Rights), and attended by Professor Dr Nisar Sohu , Medical Superintendent, senior clinical psychologists, hospital administration, and Maqbool Rahu CEO HANDS, along with representatives of HANDS, one of Pakistan’s leading development and health-sector organisations.
The visit was undertaken in line with the vision of Rajvir Singh Sodha, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Human Rights, who has emphasised the urgent strengthening of mental-health services, legal-aid mechanisms, and community-based psychosocial support—particularly in vulnerable regions of Sindh.
It was decided in the meeting that a Joint Human Rights & Legal Support Unit would be established within the hospital. This unit would be jointly managed by the Human Rights Department , and the hospital administration. The unit would ensure that all admitted patients receive legal guidance, protection of rights, and support in navigating legal processes.
It was further decided to focus on suicide trends in the Desert Belt:
The unit would also address the root psychosocial and legal factors behind the increasing number of suicides in the desert belt of Sindh.
A three-member committee of senior psychologists from the Institute would be nominated to assist in the ongoing fact-finding inquiry into recent clusters of suicidal cases. It was decided in the meeting to appoint 10 Psychologists by Human Rights Department on a contingency basis and the hospital would provide formal orientation and training.