By Ramesh MathewShortage of psychiatrists is hitting patients badly, in many countries including in India, said a well-known psychiatrist from India at a reception held in his honour at the Indian Club.Clinical director at the Mental Health Action Trust (M-Hat), attached to the Institute of Palliative Medicine at Government Medical College (Kozhikode), Dr Manoj Kumar, said the Kerala state was among the Indian states which was heavily hit by the shortage of professionally skilled psychiatrists. “The number of psychiatric patients is growing at an alarming rate globally on account of numerous reasons. However, it is disturbing to note that the channels to provide treatment to patients are not recording a corresponding growth,” he said.While seeking the assistance of Indian expatriates in tiding over this issue, Dr Kumar said there is great scope for community psychiatry projects to provide relief to poorer sections. “The community psychiatry has received greater acceptance at various levels globally and if effectively implemented it could yield better results for patients,” he said.Dr Kumar said the sole mission of M-Hat is to make treatment facilities affordable to larger number of poorer psychiatric patients. “The lack of material support is hitting our plans heavily,” he said.Dr Kumar also made an audio-visual presentation on the activities of M-Hat. Indian Ambassador Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa appealed to expatriates to support such initiatives as M-Hat which she said is aimed at providing relief to poor patients.Manchester-based Dr Jyothy Aryambath highlighted the importance of providing palliative care to psychiatric patients.Indian Medical Association (Qatar chapter) general secretary Dr Sameer Moopan, Galfar al-Misnad CEO Satish Pillai and Indian Club president Thomas Philip felicitated Dr Kumar and Dr Jyothy.Ashraf Thoonery welcomed the gathering and K Madhavikutty proposed a vote of thanks.