Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Mr.Mustafa Kamal, chaired a meeting on Pakistan's mental health agenda with Dr. Syed Usman Hamdani, Founding Director of the Global Institute of Human Development (GIHD), Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Malik Muhammad Safi from the Ministry of NHSR&C.
Dr. Hamdani briefed the Federal Minister on Pakistan's current mental health landscape and proposed a roadmap for strengthening the national mental health system. He highlighted that mental disorders are now the leading cause of Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) in Pakistan, underscoring the urgent need for a whole-of-government approach that addresses the social determinants driving the growing burden of mental health problems, while integrating mental health into health, education and social protection systems.
The Federal Minister directed the Ministry to integrate mental health services into the Primary Healthcare (PHC) and education systems to promote early identification, timely intervention and improved population mental well-being. He further directed the development of a National Mental Health Data Dashboard, in collaboration with the National Institute of Health (NIH), to strengthen evidence-based planning, monitoring and decision-making.
To strengthen the mental health workforce, the Minister instructed the Ministry to coordinate with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to develop a policy introducing mandatory mental health capacity building through mental health certifications and diploma programmes for healthcare professionals. He also directed that mental health services be integrated into all telemedicine centres operating under the Ministry.
The Minister further directed the Ministry, in consultation with the Joint Secretary (Hospitals) and the Chief Executive Officer, Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA), to examine the legislative and regulatory framework required to introduce mandatory mental health competency certification for healthcare practitioners in both public and private healthcare facilities.
Reaffirming the Government's commitment to strengthening mental health services, the Federal Minister emphasized the need to expedite the finalization of the National Mental Health Policy and accelerate preparations and public awareness activities leading up to World Mental Health Day 2026, with the objective of advancing equitable, evidence-based and accessible mental healthcare across Pakistan.
