THIS is apropos the article ‘Missing gender’ (June 12). I appreciate the effort to urge a more inclusive and scientific curriculum, but, as a trainee psychiatrist, I was appalled to see the article using the term ‘schizophrenic’ to describe orthodox clergy’s attitude towards science.

This shows callous disregard, even if unintended, of a mental illness that is chronic and debilitating, and affects almost one per cent of the global population. References like these contribute to the stigma that is already attached to mental illness.

Asking for a revamp in our educational system and re-evaluating our national curriculum to be more inclusive of science and technology has absolutely no link with schizophrenia and just betrays lack of compassion and sensitivity to the illness.

Most people with mental illness are well-behaved and well-meaning, and confusing mental illness with bad behaviour, non-progressive attitude or mismanagement is an insult to all those suffering from it and those who are treating it. I really hope that such faux pas will be avoided in the future.

Dr Nida Khan
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2021