Guidance

Mental health support for British people in Pakistan

Published 21 September 2023

© Crown copyright 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pakistan-mental-health-support-abroad/mental-health-support-for-british-people-in-pakistan

1. FCDO consular support

Whenever possible we will seek your permission before taking any action on your behalf.

We can:

  • listen to you and help you look at your options
  • help you to contact friends and family members if you want to
  • visit you in hospital or prison in line with our usual procedures
  • raise any concerns about your treatment or welfare with the responsible authority (such as a hospital or prison)
  • help overseas medical staff contact medical staff in the UK who may be able to provide advice on your medical history
  • give information about local medication suppliers
  • be available, as appropriate, to offer your assistance if you choose to remain overseas
  • liaise with your travel rep or travel insurance company, if you want us to

We cannot:

  • give advice on mental health issues
  • buy or supply medication
  • withhold or remove a passport
  • stop you from travelling abroad or require you to return to the UK
  • pay for you to return to the UK
  • pay for food, accommodation or medical bills
  • get you better treatment in hospital or prison than is given to local people

2. What to do if you need help

If there is an emergency or an urgent need for medical attention, you should either:

  • call 115 for emergency services and ask for a doctor or ambulance, or
  • go directly to the nearest hospital emergency department

The emergency services have very limited English speaking call handlers. Not all emergency services or doctors speak English. If necessary, ask an Urdu speaking person to help you with your call or to accompany you to the hospital.

During your call or visit to the hospital, you should look to provide details of your previous medical background, which could include previous mental health episodes or diagnoses to assist with any assessment, and details of previous or current medication, to help determine further treatment.

After you are assessed by a general doctor, you may be referred onto another medical provider or service for further care. Depending on your financial situation, and whether or not you have medical insurance, you will have the option to choose private or government treatment.

3. Repeat or replacement prescriptions

Carrying a copy of your UK prescription while on holiday, or after your move to Pakistan, can help doctors find local medication that has the same or similar effect as your UK prescription medicine. Many foreign brands of medication are not available or legally sold in normal pharmacies in Pakistan.

The referred doctor will be responsible for assessing your mental health condition and your medical prescription, which also may involve using a matching process to identify the generic medication available in Pakistan if your exact branded medication is not available.

4. Mental Health Hospitalisations

4.1 Voluntary hospitalisation

If you experience mental disorder you are entitled to voluntary hospitalisation at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Civil Hospital Karachi.

During the hospitalisation, you will be asked for your consent for each procedure that is needed.

Should you want to be discharged, you may be released from hospital after approval from a senior psychiatrist.

Voluntary hospitalisation is in open wards or in open day clinics.

4.2 Compulsory hospitalisation

As in the UK, in Pakistan, people with mental health needs may be hospitalised and detained without giving their consent, for example, if they are considered to be behaving in a threatening manner or need treatment urgently and are unable to make decisions themselves.

In an emergency, a police officer or doctor may take this step.

4.3 Costs of hospitalisation

The government hospitals system in Pakistan provides free emergency care and medical attention for everyone, including non-residents. In emergency cases you should go to the nearest A&E department or call 115 for the emergency services to arrange an ambulance to take you. Edhi Foundation and Chhipa Welfare Association provide ambulance services.

The nearest hospital may be a private one and you can remain there until being stabilised. If you cannot afford the related medical costs, or you do not have any health/travel insurance, you can request to be transferred to an available government hospital once you have been stabilised.

Private hospitals require payment in advance for admission, or evidence that you have health insurance in place. However, please note that some hospitals in Pakistan may not have a direct agreement with your insurance company, so you may need to pay the costs upfront, or at the end of the treatment yourself and then arrange a refund afterwards from your insurance.

You should always take out travel/medical insurance before visiting Pakistan, or if you live here.

You will need to cover any costs using your private insurance, or by personal funds if you do not have travel insurance. Before you travel, make sure you have comprehensive insurance covering healthcare and medical evacuation/repatriation to the UK or the country in which you ordinarily reside for the duration of your stay. Please view our guidance on foreign travel insurance, which outlines what your insurance policy should cover.

5. Guardianship

Guardianship is a court appointment which authorises a person to act and make decisions on behalf of another adult who lacks the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves.

A request for guardianship may be submitted by a spouse, parent, or other family member, as well as by the government legal advisor or his/her representative.

Pakistan family courts have the authority to appoint a legal guardian for people who are no longer able to make decisions or take care of themselves. Guardians can also be appointed for minors (under 18) in cases where the parents are no longer able to exercise their parental authority.

A guardian can make legal decisions on behalf of individuals who need their support. This includes making decisions over finance/asset management, and access to medication and welfare of the individuals concerned. A guardian has to consider the benefits of the individual concerned as the priority, and they should be able to make sound judgements on their behalf.

6. Return to the UK

You may wish to return to the UK at the end of any treatment received in Pakistan. When you are discharged from hospital, you should request a copy of your medical history, which is not automatically provided, only at a patient’s direct request.

If you want to return to the UK, where necessary ensure you obtain a “fit to travel” document signed by your doctor to present to the relevant airline. You should check with your airline beforehand since some airlines have their own form to complete and a separate medical clearance process.

You will normally be responsible for covering the costs of your return to the UK. If you are unable to afford these costs, your travel insurance company may cover repatriation costs. You can also discuss the options available to you with the British the High Commission consular team – they can contact friends and family on your behalf to seek financial help.

Neither the Pakistani nor British authorities can fund repatriation. Hospitals might help with some practical arrangements. We can help you contact travel care services at UK airports where these exist for support upon arrival into the UK.

7. Support from other agencies and organisations in Pakistan

Organisation Telephone/Email Website
Ministry of Health   https://nhsrc.gov.pk/  
The Pakistan Psychological Society <info@pkps.org > http://pkps.org/  
British Asian Trust +44 2039736426 info@britishasiantrust.org https://www.britishasiantrust.org/our-work/mental-health/mental-health-in-pakistan/  
Karwan-E-Hayal +92 (0)21 111 534 111 https://keh.org.pk/  
Umang Pakistan +92 (0)311 7786264 hr@umang.com.pk http://www.umang.com.pk/  

8. Other useful information

Mental health and wellbeing abroad. (Includes links to UK NGOs/services)

9. UK organisations

The NHS list of mental health helplines has a list of organisations that can offer advice to those in the UK by phone. These organisations in the UK may be able to help you before you travel, or support family and friends in the UK.

10. Disclaimer

The information contained in this note is intended for your general guidance only, it is not a substitute for obtaining your own medical and legal advice. While all due care has been taken in compiling this information, accuracy cannot be guaranteed and the applicable law and procedures may occasionally change. For these reasons neither His Majesty’s Government nor any member of the British Consular staff can accept liability for any costs, damages or expenses which might be incurred.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office holds and uses data for purposes notified to the Information Commissioner under the Data Protection Act 1998. Such personal data may be disclosed to other UK Government Departments and public authorities.

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