The earthquake, which shook the Balochistan region of Pakistan two weeks ago, continues to cause serious consequences in local communities. Aftershocks are still felt on a near daily basis and some people are too scared to return to sleeping in their houses. This fear, combined with the loss of family, friends and homes due to the earthquake has left a massive need for mental healthcare.
As Dr. Muhammad Shoaib, who is heading up MSF's medical services following the quake, has been there since 31st October. "There are two cases I will never forget,", he says. "One is a little child who lost his parents, his brothers and sisters and he was left all alone. He was adopted eventually. There was also a patient, a 35 year old lady, who lost both her sons and her husband and she was in deep psychosis."
To provide for those in need of mental healthcare, MSF has sent international and Pakistani mental health counsellors to the area around Ziarat to work in the local communities, not only providing counseling, but also training Pakistan Ministry of Health medical staff to do the same. Until now, MSF has also been treating people for their physical wounds and distributing non-food items . With a lot of agencies now coming into the area, MSF wants to focus on mental health care so is handing over its basic clinic activities to Merlin.