Psychological Services Plan for quake victims launched
By Uzma Zafar

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Wednesday launched a psychological services programme for earthquake affectees.
He also set up a National Task Force for Psychological Services and Trauma Counseling for quake victims to implement the programme.
A special cell will be established at the Ministry of Health to coordinate activities of National Task Force and the Programme. The Task Force will be headed by Riaz Fityana, MNA and a Consultant Psychologist.
The decisions were taken by the Prime Minister after a meeting with senior psychologists led by Mr. Fityana. The meeting was convened to discuss the steps required to be taken for the rehabilitation of traumatized persons in the quake affected areas.
Addressing the meeting the Prime Minister said that first phase of relief and rescue operation is on an advanced stage. Food, medicines and shelters have been provided to a large number of people, serious patients have been brought to the hospitals.
He said the Government is aware that in the earthquake affected areas psychological problems, severe mental disorders and other related diseases are spreading among the affected people which can have long lasting impacts on their lives in the coming years.
“We need professional psychological treatment for the rehabilitation of traumatized persons which is a neglected area in Pakistan”, said the Prime Minister.
The delegation submitted an initial programme consisting of long term and short term measures. There will be three hubs of the activities of National Task Force: at islamabad, Mansehra and Muzaffarabad.
It has been decided that the Task Force will organize two day workshops of master trainers in Islamabad, Mansehra and Muzafarabad immediately after Eid.
These Master Traines will be the youths, paramedical staff, NGOs workers particularly teachers in primary schools. They will go to the earthquake affected areas for trauma counseling.
Online adds: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Ch. Nourez Shakoor, Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Wasi Zafar and Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Ghulam Sarwar Khan held separate meetings with the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here on Wednesday.
They discussed the future and ongoing programme of their respective Ministries regarding relief and reconstruction for the quake affected people in Azad Kashmir and NWFP.
In his meeting with Federal Minister for Science and Technology, the Prime Minister discussed plans for provision of safe drinking water in the quake affected areas.
He was informed that the ministry has completed a survey of drinking water in the earthquake affected areas and has presented its report about water quality there.
The Minister said that the ministry was working with UNICEF, UNDP and other foreign agencies for the restoration of supply of clean drinking water in these areas.
Prime Minister appreciated the ministry for working jointly with UNICEF, UNDP and other international relief agencies for setting up filtration plants in the earthquake affected areas to provide clean drinking water for the inhabitants of these areas.
He said that the government was working on plans to provide clean drinking water to the entire population of the country under the Khushal Pakistan as it is extremely critical for the health and water born diseases are a major cause of health disorder.
In his meeting with the minister for law, Justice and parliamentary Affairs, the prime minister discussed the upcoming legislation agenda for the next meeting of parliament.
The Prime Minister directed Law Minister to make sure access to justice simple and speedy. He said that justice has to be delivered in a timely manner as “Justice delayed is Justice denied”.
He inquired about implementation of access to justice programme. He said that the programme had contributed to better courts’ performance. He said that there was a need to make laws people friendly and existing laws need to be reviewed and amended constantly to make them people friendly.
He said that the process should enable the people enforce their rights. He appreciated ministry’s efforts to enhance its resources to the earthquake victims. He appreciated the minister for setting up a tentage village at Chamb for 1000 affectees.
The law Minister apprised the prime Minister of his Ministry’s continuous efforts for improving access to justice and transforming the judicial system to make it more efficient.
In his meeting with the Prime Minister, the Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis briefed him about various activities undertaken by the Ministry for the rehabilitation of earthquake affected areas.
Prime Minister appreciated the ministry’s efforts for rehabilitation work and for setting up relief camps in Bagh, Thakot and other affected areas where cooked food, medicines, blankets and other good are being provided.
He also appreciated the medical help provided by several hospitals under the ministry including social security hospitals, POF Wah Hospitals, and Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.
Prime Minister said that earthquake had posed a big challenge for the country and all arms of the government need to work together to face this challenge.
He directed the minister to undertake efforts to mobilize Overseas Pakistanis to contribute into the government’s efforts for rehabilitation.
He particularly appreciated the efforts of Overseas Pakistanis for providing orthopedic services, artificial limbs and trauma treatment.
He said that in this difficult time the entire nation and Pakistani Diaspora have jelled together to provide relief and assistance to the victims of earthquake.
“We need professional psychological treatment for the rehabilitation of traumatized persons which is a neglected area in Pakistan”, said the Prime Minister.
The delegation submitted an initial programme consisting of long term and short term measures. There will be three hubs of the activities of National Task Force: at islamabad, Mansehra and Muzaffarabad.
It has been decided that the Task Force will organize two day workshops of master trainers in Islamabad, Mansehra and Muzafarabad immediately after Eid.
These Master Traines will be the youths, paramedical staff, NGOs workers particularly teachers in primary schools. They will go to the earthquake affected areas for trauma counseling.
Online adds: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Ch. Nourez Shakoor, Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Wasi Zafar and Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Ghulam Sarwar Khan held separate meetings with the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here on Wednesday.