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From our correspondent
DHAKA (BANGLADESH): World Psychiatric Association’s three day Regional
Conference at Dhaka organized by Bangladesh Association of Psychiatrists
from January 21st to January 23rd 2010 attracted two hundred forty
delegates including one hundred twenty overseas participants from twenty
three countries including Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America and
Australia. Office bearers of various world psychiatric associations like
WPA, APA, Royal College of Psychiatrists, and Asian Federation of
Psychiatric Associations were also present. The scientific committee had
prepared an interesting informative scientific programme which will go a
long way in promoting the education and training in psychiatry besides
improving mental healthcare in Bangladesh. A large contingent of mental
healthcare professionals from Pakistan also participated.
In the morning there were plenary lectures which were followed by theme
related sessions besides workshops in the afternoon. Dr. Afzal Javed
delivered plenary lecture on Ethics in Psychiatry on the first day which
was followed by another plenary lecture on Philosophy of Mental Health
in East and West. On second day Prof. Denish Bhugra President of Royal
College of Psychiatrists delivered a plenary lecture on Inpatient
Environment context and challenges followed by Prof. E. Mohandas form
India who spoke on Neurobiology of Psychotherapy. On January 23rd Prof.
Arshad Husain’s plenary lecture was on Child Mental Health in Developing
Countries while Prof. David King made a presentation on using
psychological approaches to psychosis in clinical practice.
Other topics which were discussed by various speakers during the
conference included challenges in psychiatric services in Bangladesh,
Mental Health and Socioeconomic determination, Progress and Challenges
in Reforming Mental Health in Asia Pacific. Topics covered in the Theme
related sessions were schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, mood disorders,
drug addiction, suicide, spirituality and religion. Other scientific
highlights were WPA course on disaster management, course on psychiatry
in general practice, training in psychiatry, community and social
psychiatry, conflict management and resolution, child psychiatry,
Workshops on Medical Writing, Risk management, Disaster Management: the
Asian Experiences, psychotherapy and young psychiatrists meeting with
WPA leadership. Justice Habibur Rehman former Chief Justice of
Bangladesh was the keynote speaker at the conference dinner where he
spoke on mental healthcare in the community. Earlier Prof. Mario Maj
President of WPA delivered his inaugural address on Depression Vs normal
Sadness- towards the DSM-V and ICD-11. Detailed reports to follow. |
