President Abdur Rahman Biswas yesterday called for intensifying resistance against mental diseases and extension of rehabilitation programme of the mentally ill people, reports BSS

He said the present govern ment had decided to set up an Institute of mental health for the treatment of mentally ill persons and carrying out research work on the disease.

The President was inaugu rating the World Mental Health Day '93 programme at Osmani Memorial Hall in the city.

Mohammad Sirajul Haque. Deputy Minister for Health and Family Welfare, attended the function as special guest

Chaired by Alamglr M A Kabir, member. Foundation of Mental Health Bangladesh, the function was also addressed by Dr AKM Qamruzzaman MP. Prof AKMN Cimrdhury. Pre sident. Bangladesh Association of Psychiatrists. Prof Hidayetul Islam, Secretary General. Foun dation of Mental Health and Ataul Haque Khan, member. Foundatiqn of the Mental Health.

President Biswas suggested for setting up of free consulta

tlon centres for the mental patients where they could get Information and advice about modern treatment facilities.

"A person has to be kept away from such problem to avoid the disease." he added.

He said this would help create skilled manpower on mental diseases and make a positive contribution in the overall health system Including the mental diseases.

President Biswas said. "We have already achieved some success In different branches of the health sector. Insha Allah we will achieve same kind of success in the development of mental health system."

Slrajul Haque listed various developments In the country's health sector and said that blood banks had been opened In 20 districts of the country. "X-ray facilities and ambulance service will be provided with a* the district hospitals.

Meanwhile, speakers at a dis cussion in the city underscored the need for united and integrated thrust by both government and private organisations to create community and social awareness for protecting the rights and privileges of the mentally m and physically handh apped persons of the country

The discussion was organised in observance of the "Rights of the Handicapped Children's Day" and the "certificate distribution ceremony" pf a Community-based Rehabilitation (CRB) training course.

Jointly organised by the Bangladesh Protibondhi (retarded) Foundation (BFP) and the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP). the discussion was held at the Bangladesh Scout Bhaban auditorium.

The programme began with the rendering of a song —"Amra Karbo Joy. Ekdln' (we shall overcome somedays) by the mentally retarded children, which enthralled the multi-national audience