2 weeks Ago By Shariq Majeed
1 2 Ludhiana: Intensifying the war on drugs, health and family welfare minister Balbir Singh Saturday announced a significant expansion of de-addiction infrastructure as part of Punjab govt's ‘ Yudh Nashya Virudh ' campaign. This includes the addition of 550 new beds to the de-addiction centres and the setting up of more Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment centres. Speaking to the media after reviewing the progress of the campaign alongside MLAs Madan Lal Bagga and Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain, SSPs Jyoti Yadav Bains and Ankur Gupta, the minister said they promise the people of Punjab that they will make the state free of drugs.
A well-planned and coordinated effort is being made to achieve that. Swasthya Samitis are being formed in every village, he added. Outlining Mann govt's multi-pronged strategy, Balbir said, "It includes upgrading existing facilities, opening new OOAT centres, and combining strict action against drug traffickers with compassionate treatment for addicts.
" At present, there are 480 beds in all in the state's de-addiction centres. The health minister said this will be ramped up to 1,030 with the addition of 550 more beds. Of this, DMC Hospital will get 100 new beds, CMC 50 and the upcoming govt homeopathic medical college 100, the nursing college 190 and a private medical college 200, alongside beds in two govt medical colleges.
"New OOAT centres will also be opened based on requirements to ensure accessible, high-quality treatment for addicts," he added..
