Department of Psychiatry headed by Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad Dogar is functioning in District Headquarter Hospital. The Department being the only facility in public sector is providing clinical and forensic services to a large catchments area of seven districts. Out patient and liaison services are provided to both Allied & DHQ Hospitals while 60 bedded inpatient unit is situated in DHQ Hospital only where round the clock emergency services are also provided. A model Drug Abuses Treatment Centre is providing services to addicts and their families. Patients in District and Central jails are also being treated. The Department has different facilities for patients like Rehabilitation room having color television and indoor games Group therapy room, Books Magazines etc. The facility of EEG is also made available to epileptic patients.

Teaching activities include clinical and theory classes to final year M.B.B.S students; while Behavioral Science theory lectures are delivered to 2nd and 3rd year students. The Department is recognized for DCPS training in Psychiatry by CPSP. Post graduate teaching is also provided and many of the trainees have passed different Diplomas and providing services in Pakistan and Abroad. The Library and audiovisual room are for teaching and training of undergraduate and postgraduate students. The Head of Department being Master Trainer of Department of Medical Education and Member Faculty of Behavioral Sciences maintains regular liaisons with University of Health Sciences Lahore. Many research activities are being carried out in the Department, current area of focus is co morbidity is psychiatry and physical disorders and drug dependence. Multiple studies have been published in reputed journals and others are in the pipeline.

The Department has signed MoU with Applied Psychology Department of Government College University, Faisalabad regarding teaching and training of students of M.Sc., while applied Psychology students and internees join Department for attachment and training. Teaching of Psychiatry and Psychology to nursing student and paramedical students is also carried out. Various training courses on priority mental health disorders for doctors and Paramedics are organized with the help of WHO. The Department has arranged comprehensive programme of Mental Health Training Course for doctors serving with District Government with collaboration of District Health Development Centre. Short training is also arranged for doctors serving in nearby cities.

The Department is running outreach programme to decrease stigma and increase awareness about Mental Health and Drug Abuse in collaboration with an NGO. Once a week, a team consisting of Doctors, Medical Social Officer and members of NGO visit schools and health centers and deliver lectures. Annually World Mental Health Day and Anti-Narcotics Day are also celebrated regularly with the help of NGOs. Consultation services are also provided to the inmates of S.O.S. Children Village on complementary basis. A close liaison exists with Social Welfare and Community Development Department. Free medical camps have been arranged in towns like Jhang, toba Tek Singh, Jaranwala, Sammundri, etc.

In December, 2005 the Department has successfully organized three day 16th National Psychiatric Conference  of Pakistan Psychiatric Society. The conference was attended by about 300 mental health professionals from Pakistan and abroad.. During the proceedings three workshops and six scientific sessions were organized along with social events.

• Curriculum For Behavioral Sciences Examination

Associate Prof. Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad Dogar
Head of Department