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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 - VII PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS OF MENTALLY DISORDERED PERSONS 51. Informed consent.---(1) Before commencing any investigation or treatment a psychiatrist or nominated medical officer shall obtain written informed consent, on a prescribed form, from the patient or if the patient is a minor, his nearest relative or a guardian, as the case may be. (2) Where the consent of a patient to any form of investigation(s) and or treatment(s) has been given the patient or if the patient is a minor, his nearest relative or a guardian, as the case may be, may withdraw his consent in writing at any time before the completion of the treatment. (3) Without prejudice to the application of subsection (2) above to any treatment given under the plan of treatment to which a patient or if the patient is a minor, his nearest relative or a guardian, as the case may be, who has consented, to such a plan may, at any time withdraw his consent in writing to further treatment, or to further treatment of any description under the plan of treatment.