THE BANGABHABAN : The President House of Bangladesh

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed today urged both the government and non-government organisations to attach more importance to the mental health issue as 16 percent adult population of the country is suffering from various mental diseases.

"I believe in building mass awareness of mental health would definitely reduce the magnitude of this issue," he said while inaugurating the 4th SAARC Psychiatric Federation Conference and 4th International Conference on Psychiatry as the chief guest at a city hotel here.

Bangladesh Association of Psychiatrists (BAP) organised the three-day conference.

The president said several socio-economic phenomena such as poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, unemployment, tension and anxieties are major reasons for increasing the mental health problems, he said.

He said the mental health is an important element and integral part of the sound health system that plays significant
role in normal functioning of human life.

The president said, "Mental disorders create tremendous sufferings among individual, family and society as well."

It's a matter of satisfaction that the government has taken this issue with great importance and has established the
'National Institute of Mental Health' in Dhaka, he said.

Prof Iajuddin said, "I believe with the spirit of the SAARC, the Psychiatric Federation has ample opportunities to contribute to the people on the mental health in this region."

Scientific discussions and deliberations in this conference would help take necessary steps in developing the mental health in Bangladesh and South East Asia, he said.

Prof Iajuddin hoped that the bonds of friendship and fraternity among the people of this region would be further strengthened through this conference.

BAP President Professor Md Abdus Sobhan, President of the organizing committee Prof AKM Nazimudowla Chowdhury, President of the SAARC Psychiatric Federation Prof P C Shastri, WPA Zonal Representative Dr E Mohandas and BAP General Secretary Prof A H Mohammad Firoz also spoke on the occasion.

A good number of psychiatrists of member states of the SAARC and other countries, including the UK and Singapore, are taking part in this three-day conference.