JALANDHAR
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh today called upon entire medical professionals, including doctors, paramedics, and nursing students, to play a catalyst to realise the vision of a drug-free Punjab. He was addressing the valedictory function of the first-ever induction training on the management of substance use disorder, conducted at Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for medical officers.
The Minister urged medical professionals to adopt one drug addict each, with the goal of rehabilitation
them.
Terming this training a “path-breaking initiative,” Dr. Balbir Singh said the programme, designed by AIIMS and modified by the Punjab Government, was part of a comprehensive strategy to counter the misuse of all drug substances, empowering medical professionals to respond effectively to the menace. He informed that under Yudh Nashian Virudh, the Punjab Government had established a Data Analysis and Technical Support Unit to further strengthen the anti-drug campaign.
Highlighting infrastructural strides, he said the state now has over 5,000 beds for drug patients and operates 547 OOATS clinics serving more than 10 lakh registered patients. Dr. Singh further stated that the government would soon recruit as many as 243 psychologists to enhance counselling facilities across Punjab. He added that de-addiction and rehabilitation centres were being integrated under one roof, while skill development programmes had successfully mainstreamed over 800 rehabilitated drug users. He said that this multi-pronged strategy will result in a drug-free Punjab.
The Minister also distributed certificates to participating medical officers. Among those present were SDM Randeep Heer, Civil Surgeon Dr. Gurmeet Lal, PIMS Director Principal Dr. Rajiv Arora..
The Minister said that the Punjab Government's new health insurance scheme will provide over 6lakhfamilies with access to free-of-cost healthcare services up to ten lakh each family.