Page 32 - GCU Quarterly

HIGHLIGHTS
2020

Government College
University Lahore

GCU initiates tele-counselling for caregivers

of Dementia, Alzheimer's patients

he Punjab Mental Health Mental Health Helpline, saying that sometimes unfortunately abused in
Helpline of Government College their people were facing difficulties due their homes due to lack guidance and
TUniversity Lahore initiated tele- to COVID19 and this imitative was support to caregivers.
counselling services for the caregivers helping them deal with mental stress, Dr Hussain Jafferi said people in
of Dementia and Alzheimer's patients. negative thinking, future uncertainty, Pakistan lacked awareness about
Punjab Minister for Primary and depression, etc. dementia, its prevalence and support
Secondary healthcare Prof. Dr Yasmin She said that the coronavirus patients options with around one million
PAGE 31 Rashid opened the new section were recovering fast in different patients suffering in the country. He
hospitals across Punjab, adding that
Helpline providing people counseling
said that this Helpline was a great
to people suffering from depression,
anxierty or other psychological issues people above the age of 60 were most service to these patients and their
affected by this virus.
family members.
due to COVID19 or subsequent
lockdown.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi
gave a briefing about this special
section added to Helpline, under the
guidance of Dr. Yasmin Rashid, and
highlighted the role of family caregivers
for the parents of Dementia and
Alzheimer.
Alzheimer's Pakistan General
Secretary Dr Hussain Jafri was also
present.
Speaking on the occasion, health
minister Prof. Yasmin Rashid said that
family caregivers of people with
dementia or Alzheimer were called the
invisible second patients, and
sometimes they needed psychological
support and counseling, and this
Helpline for them would play a critical
role especially in times of lockdown
due to COVID-19.
She said that these caregivers faced
high rates of burden and psychological
morbidity as well as social isolation
during the lockdown and financial Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi Later, one-day salary cheque by the
hardships, and these caregivers had pledged that this special Mental faculty and staff of Abdus Salam
high vulnerability to psychological Helpline for the caregivers and patients School of Mathematical Sciences was
issues like depression, anxiety etc. of Dementia and Alzheimer would presented to Prof. Dr. Yasmin Rashid for
The minister appreciated the initiative continue after COVID 19 crisis. He said the Chief Minister COVID19 Relief
of GCU Vice Chancellor of establishing patients Dementia and Alzheimer were Fund.