By Musarrat Arif
KARACHI: The Department of Genetics at the University of Karachi has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sindh Mental Health Authority (SMHA) and the Department of Psychiatry at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) to undertake comprehensive research into the rising issue of suicides in rural Sindh. The agreement was formalized on Thursday at the KU Vice Chancellor’s Secretariat.
This collaborative, tripartite MoU focuses on conducting in-depth genetic research on suicide cases, particularly in the districts of Tharparkar, Jamshoro, Dadu, and surrounding areas. All genetic research will be carried out at the University of Karachi’s genetics department, which will work closely with the SMHA and DUHS’s psychiatry department to investigate any potential genetic links to mental health issues, such as depression and substance use, among individuals and their families affected by suicide.
As part of the initiative, the KU genetics department, in conjunction with the SMHA and DUHS, will conduct DNA analyses and genetic studies of family members of those who have either committed or attempted suicide. The goal is to identify any genetic predispositions linked to mental health challenges within these families. The SMHA will take the lead in identifying the mental health issues affecting the families, while the KU genetics department will conduct genetic studies on the biological samples collected. The DUHS psychiatry department will assist in identifying relevant cases and in the facilitation of data collection.
KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi expressed concern that mental health issues, like physical health, had long been neglected in Pakistan, with inadequate attention from both the government and the public. He hoped this research would not only uncover genetic factors linked to suicide but also serve as a catalyst for improved mental health care in the country. The MoU was officially signed by SMHA President Senator Dr. Karim Khawaja, DUHS Registrar Dr. Ashar Afaq, and KU Chairperson of the Department of Genetics Professor Dr. Maqsood Ali Ansari.
