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ACT IX OF 2019 ACT IX OF 2019 BALOCHISTAN MENTAL HEALTH ACT, 2019 An Act to consolidate, alter and amend the law relating to the mentally disordered persons in Balochistan, with respect to their care, treatment and management of their property and other related matters [Gazette of Balochistan Extraordinary, 25th October, 2019] No. PAB/Legis; V (04)/2019, dated 25.10.2019.---The Balochistan Mental Bill No. 04 of 2019 having been passed by the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan on 12th October, 2019 and assented to by the Governor Balochistan, on 24th October, 2019 is hereby published as an Act of the Balochistan Provincial Assembly. Preamble.---WHEREAS, it is expedient to consolidate, alter and amend the law relating to the treatment and care of mentally disordered persons in Balochistan, to make better provisions for their care, treatment, management of properties and affairs and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto and to encourage community care of such mentally disordered persons and further to provide for the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental disorder; AND WHEREAS in pursuance of the eighteenth amendment to the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, the subject matter has been devolved to the provinces, therefore; It is hereby enacted as follows:- CHAPTER - III ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT 13. Emergency Holding.---If in the case of a patient who is receiving treatment for mental disorder as an inpatient in a psychiatric facility who wishes or attempts to leave and it appears to a medical officer - (a) that the patient is suffering from mental disorder to such a degree that it is necessary for his health or safety or for the protection of others, for him to be prevented from leaving the facility; and (b) that it is not practicable to secure the immediate attendance of the psychiatrist in charge or his nominated medical officer for the purpose of furnishing a medical recommendation, the medical officer shall record that fact in writing and in that event the patient may be detained in the hospital for a period of 24 hours from the time when the fact is so recorded or until the earlier arrival of the psychiatrist in charge or his nominated medical officer.