Saima for incorporating mental healthcare in disaster management plan

Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Autism Saima Wazed Hossain yesterday laid emphasis on incorporating mental healthcare in disaster management plan to provide more support to traumatized people during both the humanitarian crisis and natural calamities.

"Standardized guideline in psychosocial support is required in disaster management plan," she said while conducting a session on the 2nd day of International Conference on Disability and Disaster Risk Management.

Saima who is also WHO's Goodwill Ambassador for Autism in South East Asia Region recommended giving intense consultation to the Rohingyas, who took shelter in Cox's Bazar, to recover their traumatized state.

At the session, Saima gave a presentation titled "Models for Psychosocial Support and Management of Trauma during Humanitarian Crisis" where recommended creating appropriate trained community level workers to provide support to the traumatised people after any disaster.

"There is immediate need to reach out to all those who have been affected as any neglect to provide psychosocial support may impair efforts towards physical rehabilitation," she said.

"Provide mental healthcare in a community-based setup with competently trained workers," she said.

Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Shah Kamal spoke at the event as the chief guest while WHO Mental Health Technical Officer for Cox's Bazar Selma Sevkli, research expert of Shuchona Foundation Nazish Arman and Deputy Secretary of Disaster Management and Relief Naila Ahmed also spoke as panelists.

Nearly 3,000 representatives, including 110 world renowned experts from 33 countries, are taking part in the three-day conference that is designed with five plenary sessions, 14 sideline events and two special events under the theme of 'Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Management - Today and Tomorrow'.

Source: bss