Punjabi University to assist adopted villages with e-counselling on psychosocial, legal issues

Bharat Khanna | TNN | Apr 28, 2020, 23:02 IST

File photo of Punjabi University

PATIALA: Amid an alleged rise in the cases of domestic violence or breaking social distancing during lockdown, the Punjabi University Patiala has decided to provide assistance and a support system to the villagers in its adopted villages.
For this, the university under the patronage of its vice-chancellor, Dr B.S. Ghuman has created a WhatsApp group ‘Support Group COVID-19-UBA’ comprising psychologists, professors from women study department and the doctors to provide assistance to villagers.
Nodal officer Dr Ritu Lehal informed that counselling related to psychosocial and legal issues will be provided to the villagers in these adopted villages. She said that besides this, awareness regarding the social distancing and health issues will also be done.
The university has adopted five villages including Shekhupura, Safadipur, Daunkalan, Daunkhurd, and Mehmudmpur under MHRD’s Unnat Bharat Abhiyan scheme.
The sarpanches, some active persons or the panches from these villages have been added as members to the groups while the team from Punjabi University includes Dr Regeena, Dr Naina Sharma, Dr Gautam, Dr Sukhwinder Singh and a few more faculty members who can provide counselling as and when it's needed by the villagers.
“In this moment of crisis, the villagers may develop some psychological problems like fear, anxiety and depression due to abrupt change in their lifestyle. It has been observed that even domestic violence issues amongst them are on the rise. This group will take care of all cases of medical, psychological and domestic problems. Secondly, an awareness will be created about social distancing and how to adopt best practices to avoid any health problem under such circumstances. Some informative material will be provided from time to time to the villagers through Sarpanches. All concerned people will be sent the latest updates in context with Covid-19 so that maximum people can be benefited by taking preventive measures. They will also be informed about steps taken by the government and also about guideline issue in this context from time to time”, said Dr Ritu Lehal.
She acknowledged the help of women Club of Punjabi University for providing financial support to arrange masks gloves and medical kits for the dispensary staff of the university. She said that this will further facilitate dispensary staff to provide safe medical help in the villages whenever they are in need. She added that Punjabi University will approach the Red Cross Society and some private hospitals in Patiala to provide the masks or other help to the villagers if needed in future.