Imphal, July 18 2010: Allegedly caught in choppy administration, hit by insensitivity of its importance Clinical Psychology Department of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), the only provider of mental health facilities in the trouble riddled northeastern region, is facing rough weather.

Speculations of abolitions surrounds as uncertainty loom in the department over the intake of new batch for M Phil course in Clinical Psychology differed while the position of the Head of the Department (HOD) regarding post extension or appointment of new HOD on contract basis remain uncertain till that in the department playing a major role in the social sector by providing mental health facilities in the trouble torn region of the country, particularly in Manipur.

The department which is also one of the nine centres of its kinds in India imparting M Phil course in Clinical Psychology training to the students of seven north east states since inception is in a position eliminating as the main purpose of the department, imparting clinical psychology training, is on the verge of cancellation.

During seven year of existence, the department has produced 16 clinical psychologists, two from Mizoram, one each from Nagaland and Meghalaya and 12 from the state.

The department is currently imparting two year training to six students including one from Nagaland.

The unclear position of the post of head of department arising out of the expiry of the term of the present head, Dr Ashek Kumar, non-conduct of entrance examination, which is usually conducted in the month of July every year, may hit in continuation of the service of the minor but discharging priceless service to the conflict riddle region of the country.

Staffs of the department including the head of department, four associate professors and around 10 other sub-ordinate staffs are appointed on contract basis with their service extended from time to time since its inception but even the terms of other staffs extend, the position of the head of department, Dr Ashek Kumar who age is crossing the superannuation age limit, that is 65-year, the faith of the department become uncertain.

No qualified person to replace Ashek Kumar as professor to handle the post of HOD is there and the authority of RIMS administration, despite knowing the important of the department's services, is not taking up so far any apparent action even though to fill the position.

His service term expired on July 14 .

Authority is learnt to processing for extending his term only for three months which despairs the hope of further extension of M Phil course as the entrance examination which was earlier schedule on June 23 has been deferred by an order of the director of RIMS.

The deferred of date of the exam creating a speculation of possible discontinuation of the course in the Institute among the staffs of the department which was set up with the recommendation of Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) in 2003 considering the need of such clinic in the region.

To add to speculation, no professor qualified for the post of HOD is available in the department as well as in the region so far and RIMS authority is also not taking up serious about searching a qualified professor for post or to find a way to extend the service of the outgoing HOD.

"Higher authority (of RIMS) is either seen searching for a qualified person or to extend his service," said Dr Ashek Kumar when contacted adding that by saying this it does not mean that he seeking favour from the higher authority for his service but worried about the future faith of the department which is not running as full-fledged department of the RIMS.

Once the functioning of the department discontinued, it will be hard to revive it take long time to convince the authority of RCI for opening the function, Ashek said adding that if the authority is willing to run the department further, a qualified man could be trained in the field within two or three days.

Elaborately speaking on the important of the department in the state as well as in the region, the aged old professor said one the average of 1000 people were counseled by the department apart from outdoor and field service in the remote areas in collaboration with government department concerns and NGOs.

They received encouragement from the service, he added.

If the M Phil course is discontinued, there is no purpose of running the department further and automatically the functioning of the department will be discontinued if no course is conduct, he worried.

The department of Clinical Psychology has been playing a major role in the social sector by providing mental health facility since its inception.

It has been functioning in collaboration with the department of psychiatry, RIMS, providing therapeutic counseling and required interventions to the mentally not able people or those in distress.

In the conflict stricken state like Manipur, the department has been, in its best given abilities, trying to alleviate the mental distress experienced by the people, officials of the department observed adding that the centre in the state is also provides crisis intervention and psychotherapies to the people who are victim of their personal crisis or at the receiving end of the social unrest which is quite prevalent in the state today.

As all concerned individuals know, this corner of the world is a place where redemption of crisis related issues in vital.

And without the help of such department the social related problems will only tend to increase, exponentially, adding to the much uninvited situation of this region, the abolition of this department would mean the end of much needed primary and essential service, signatories of the campaign to the save the department conducted by individuals concerns launched through website observed.

"We the undersigned call on to let Clinic Psychology Department continue its service and produce more clinical psychologists keeping the spirit of RIMS and the whole North-East alive," they commented.

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