New York: Pakistan’s Minister of State for National Health Services, Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, met with Professor Geoffrey M. Reed of Columbia University to advance collaborative efforts in developing national mental health data systems, climate-related mental health strategies, and the implementation of the WHO’s Flexible Interview for ICD-11 (FLII-11) in Pakistan.

According to Press Information Department, the strategic meeting is part of Pakistan’s official health engagement mission to the United States. The discussions included the development of a national mental health data dashboard for Pakistan, aimed at guiding policy, monitoring inequalities, and supporting the implementation of Universal Health Coverage for Mental Health. The FLII-11, a diagnostic tool aligned with ICD-11, was highlighted for its potential to generate representative mental health estimates and support policy decisions.

The talks also covered the Climate Impact Module within FLII-11, which could help Pakistan address climate-related mental health issues. The collaboration, led by Dr. Syed Usman Hamdani from the Global Institute of Human Development, focuses on adapting FLII-11 for use in Pakistan’s national mental health surveillance systems. The Minister emphasized the importance of robust data systems for the forthcoming National Mental Health Policy and invited Professor Reed to World Mental Health Day 2026 in Islamabad, which he accepted. The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue discussions and develop a roadmap for mental health data system implementation in Pakistan.