The National Autism and Mental Health Centre at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) autistic children were inaugurated on Thursday by Abdul Qadir Patel, Minister for National Health Services Regulations and Coordination.
Speaking at the event, the minister announced that the government has opened the nation’s first public National Autism and Mental Health Centre for Children in the nation’s capital to better serve patients who had previously experienced a lack of such resources.
During the first phase, he says, the centre will provide diagnostic and treatment services in the outpatient department (OPD).
In addition, he stated that patients will be able to receive free medical advice on a variety of disease-related topics, including the management of diagnostic and treatment services at the center.
According to the minister, the country has 0.4 million people with autism.
According to him, the main issue in Pakistan is the diagnosis of the illness, as there have been reports of incorrect diagnoses, and patients there also have issues with treatment and access to services.
He went on to say that this is significant progress in the health sector because the government is committed to serving the people of Pakistan.
He stated that the current government is focusing on its health reform agenda in order to bring about positive change in the health sector and improve the standard of health service delivery.
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