Latest news with #BalbirSingh
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Private psychiatrists' backing gives Punjab's anti-drug campaign critical push
Chandigarh: In a significant breakthrough for Punjab's anti-drug efforts, private psychiatrists agreed to join the state govt's flagship 'Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh' campaign, offering critical support in the face of a severe shortage of specialists, albeit with riders. Their decision came after initial reluctance and marked a pivotal step forward in expanding clinical care for those battling addiction across the state. The move is expected to substantially strengthen the state's capacity to manage the growing number of individuals seeking rehabilitation, following an intensified crackdown on drug abuse. Currently, over 10 lakh individuals are undergoing treatment at 529 govt-run Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centres and 180 private facilities. In addition, the govt added 1,200 new beds for addiction treatment in private institutions to meet rising demand. Faced with an acute shortage of psychiatrists in public health facilities, the health department turned to the private sector for help. The breakthrough came after Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh announced that private psychiatrists operating through OPDs would be permitted to dispense all approved medications for addiction treatment—including buprenorphine and naloxone—to their own patients. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Promoções imperdíveis de voos baratos Voos | Anúncios de Pesquisa Saiba Mais Undo This was a longstanding demand of private mental health professionals. Following this policy shift, the Association of Psychiatrists (AOP) conveyed their decision to "provisionally" accept the govt's offer to support the clinical management of addiction cases in govt-affiliated de-addiction facilities. However, the collaboration comes with conditions aimed at safeguarding the autonomy and interests of private practitioners. The AOP underscored several key demands: services should remain entirely voluntary, adequately remunerated, and logistically feasible; arrangements must be formalised through a detailed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) clearly outlining terms of engagement, payment schedules, notice periods, and exit clauses. Moreover, psychiatrists seek legal indemnity from complications that may arise during treatment, such as patient absconding, injury, death, adverse drug reactions, or treatment failures. The association shared a list of the doctors who expressed their willingness to collaborate along with the choice of station. Nabha-based psychiatrist Dr Rajoo Saroj welcomed the govt's broader strategy, stating, "The Punjab govt has adopted a comprehensive and community-driven approach to strengthening de-addiction treatment facilities across the state. The initiative encompasses public-private partnerships, community engagement, outpatient opioid-assisted treatment, infrastructure development, and the establishment of a centralised drug de-addiction registry portal for robust policy monitoring. These multifaceted efforts are aimed at tackling the addiction crisis in Punjab." Association of Psychiatrists (AOP) president Dr Rupinder Kapur said, "The Punjab govt approached us to support the 'Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh' campaign. Our understanding is that it seeks to empower patients by expanding treatment options and empower doctors by granting them greater autonomy, including the ability to dispense all approved medications from their OPD setups. However, the campaign's success is contingent on the govt fulfilling its commitments to both patients and doctors. The AOP is closely monitoring the govt's policy decisions, and our support will continue only if those promises are honoured." Dr Balbir Singh called the decision of private doctors to assist govt mutually beneficial. "Private psychiatrists will be allowed to dispense medicine to their own patients, while the govt will be able to expand the reach and effectiveness of its substance abuse treatment programmes," he said. BOX Call for mental health reform In addition to their support for the anti-drug campaign, the Association of Psychiatrists is also pressing the state govt for full implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act. They argue that rights-based and comprehensive treatment for drug addiction cannot be achieved without aligning existing practices with the Act. The association is also advocating for an end to the so-called "licence raj", greater clarity on govt policy in mental health, and redressal of local challenges faced by private practitioners. MSID:: 121488359 413 |
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: State targets to reduce dengue cases by 90% this year, says Dr Balbir
As part of the on-going 'Har Shukarwar Dengue Te Vaar' campaign, Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh on Friday morning sensitised city residents about the importance of cleaning and drying water storage containers every Friday to prevent mosquito breeding. Dr Singh accompained by civil surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur and health teams visited New Kailash Nagar to conduct a thorough inspection of houses in Street number 1. During his visit, Dr Singh identified dengue larvae in desert coolers, flowerpots, water containers, fridge trays, tank water and water storage containers. Dr Singh said, 'These are critical breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito and regular cleaning is essential to stop dengue in its tracks.' He also urged residents to wear full-sleeve shirts as an additional protective measure against mosquito bites. Dr Singh highlighted the state-wide efforts under the state government campaign, noting that 20,000 Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers are actively inspecting homes across Punjab every Friday. 'These workers are tasked with identifying dengue larvae and educating communities on preventive steps, such as eliminating stagnant water and maintaining hygiene in and around households,' he added. The health minister stated that this concerted effort is part of a broader goal to reduce dengue cases by 90 per cent this year, following a 50 per cent reduction achieved last year compared to previous years. To further strengthen the campaign, Dr Singh also mentioned that schoolteachers across Punjab are being trained to educate students about dengue prevention. 'This initiative aims to mobilise 20 lakh school students to spread awareness and assist in controlling the disease. Additionally, every village in Punjab has established a health committee with 15 members each, who are receiving training on identifying and eliminating dengue larvae, ensuring a grassroots-level response to the public health challenge,' he added. Meets family of COVID victim Dr Singh also visited the family of the man who died of COVID-19 on Wednesday. He offered his condolences, encouraged the family to adhere to isolation guidelines and assured them of government's unwavering support. Addressing the current COVID-19 situation, the health minister reported that only three cases have been recorded in Punjab to date, stressing that there is no cause for concern. He added that the situation is completely normal and Punjab is fully equipped with adequate infrastructure, including oxygen, medicines, beds, and all necessary resources. Dr Singh also advised immune compromised individuals such as pregnant women, the elderly, and those with conditions like kidney disease, high BP, cancer, or respiratory issues to wear masks when stepping outside as a precautionary measure. He underscored the importance of vigilance while affirming the state's preparedness to handle any health challenges. Dr Singh said, 'Through collective action and adherence to preventive measures, we can protect our communities from both dengue and COVID-19.'
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Health min inspects every home in New Kailash Nagar
1 2 Ludhiana: Health minister Balbir Singh inspected every nook and cranny of the houses in street number one of New Kailash Nagar here Friday morning. He was accompanied by civil surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur and health teams. They did not find a single household that didn't have dengue larvae in their coolers, flower pots, water containers, fridge trays, tank water, and water storage containers. Singh said these are breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which causes dengue, and sensitised residents to the importance of undertaking regular cleaning and draining off accumulated water to prevent dengue. He also urged the residents to wear full-sleeve clothes as an additional protective measure against mosquitoes, which are known to bite during the daytime. The minister's visit was part of the govt's ongoing 'Har Shukarwar Dengue Te Vaar' campaign. Highlighting the statewide efforts under the campaign, the minister said 20,000 ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers are actively inspecting homes across Punjab every Friday. These workers are tasked with identifying dengue larvae and educating communities about preventive steps, such as preventing water stagnation and maintaining hygiene in and around households. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo This concerted effort is part of a broader goal to reduce dengue cases by 90% this year, following a 50% reduction achieved last year compared to previous years, the minister said. To strengthen the campaign further, Singh said schoolteachers are being trained to educate students about dengue prevention. This initiative aims to mobilise an army of 20 lakh school students to create awareness and assist in controlling the disease. In addition, every village in Punjab has set up a health committee with 15 members each, who are being trained to identify and eliminate dengue larvae, ensuring a grassroots-level response to the public health challenge, a health department statement said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Punjab records two Covid cases, says Health Minister Balbir Singh
Patiala: Two active COVID-19 cases were reported in Punjab on Wednesday, according to Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh . One patient is from Yamunanagar, and the other is from Ambala. Both are undergoing treatment. Earlier, a 40-year-old patient on Wednesday succumbed to the COVID-19 virus at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32 in Chandigarh, said an official. Speaking to on Wednesday, Singh said, "This is the first patient who was admitted to Sector 32 after being referred from Ludhiana. There are two other patients in the state. One patient is in Fortis Hospital, who is from Yamunanagar, another is in Ferozepur, who hails from Ambala and works in Gurugram. He had come to his relatives' house..." Giving details about the patient who died, Singh said, "The patient who has died had comorbidities in addition to being COVID positive... He was also suffering from Hepatitis B". The Minister added that the state government is in touch the Union government and following WHO guidelines. "I have reviewed the medical facilities in the Ludhiana district, and 200 beds have been prepared in the medical college... People with comorbidities need to take precautions, normal people can go about without any worry... We are in touch with the centre and are also following WHO guidelines..." the Health Minister told ANI. Earlier today, Chandigarh GMCH Medical Superintendent GP Thami confirmed the patient's death, stating that the patient was referred from Ludhiana and was hospitalised two days ago with severe respiratory issues. The patient tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday and succumbed to the illness in the early hours of Wednesday. When asked about the hospital's preparedness, the official stated that they have made an isolation ward. "Yesterday, a patient came. He was diagnosed with COVID. Today, he died at around 4 in the was 40 years old and belonged to Firozabad, UP. He was suffering from some respiratory problem and fever, then he was referred here from Ludhiana... We have made an isolation ward. We suspect more people to come here suffering from variant has not been identified now, it is preliminary," Thami said. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has confirmed that while COVID-19 cases were reported again in parts of the country, the current variants in circulation were showing mild symptoms similar to the Omicron strain. According to the Chief Executive Officer of Dr Dangs Lab, Arjun Dang, the rising cases of Covid-19 belonged to the sub-lineage of the Omicron virus. Dang further stated that in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, the variants that were named as 'Variants under Monitoring' were of types LF7 and NV181 and were more transmissible. "We must understand that the current spreading variants are again a sublineage of the Omicron virus. Additionally, in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, we have certain other sub-variants that have been named Variants Under Monitoring, and these are basically of two types, LF7 and NV181. Currently, the cases that we are seeing are more transmissible. They can infect people easily, but again, from the severity perspective, till now, we have not seen any severe cases," Dang told ANI. On Monday, India reported 1,009 active COVID-19 cases in the country on Monday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. As per the Health Ministry, India's COVID-19 update showed a total of 1009 active cases, with 752 new cases recently confirmed. According to the government data, Kerala currently tops the chart with the highest number of active cases at 430. Other states with notable case counts include Maharashtra (209), Delhi (104), Gujarat (83), and Karnataka (47).
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Health
- India Gazette
Punjab records two Covid cases, says Health Minister Balbir Singh
Patiala (Punjab) [India], May 28 (ANI): Two active COVID-19 cases were reported in Punjab on Wednesday, according to Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh. One patient is from Yamunanagar, and the other is from Ambala. Both are undergoing treatment. Earlier, a 40-year-old patient on Wednesday succumbed to the COVID-19 virus at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32 in Chandigarh, said an official. Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Singh said, 'This is the first patient who was admitted to Sector 32 after being referred from Ludhiana. There are two other patients in the state. One patient is in Fortis Hospital, who is from Yamunanagar, another is in Ferozepur, who hails from Ambala and works in Gurugram. He had come to his relatives' house...' Giving details about the patient who died, Singh said, 'The patient who has died had comorbidities in addition to being COVID positive... He was also suffering from Hepatitis B'. The Minister added that the state government is in touch the Union government and following WHO guidelines. 'I have reviewed the medical facilities in the Ludhiana district, and 200 beds have been prepared in the medical college... People with comorbidities need to take precautions, normal people can go about without any worry... We are in touch with the centre and are also following WHO guidelines...' the Health Minister told ANI. Earlier today, Chandigarh GMCH Medical Superintendent GP Thami confirmed the patient's death, stating that the patient was referred from Ludhiana and was hospitalised two days ago with severe respiratory issues. The patient tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday and succumbed to the illness in the early hours of Wednesday. When asked about the hospital's preparedness, the official stated that they have made an isolation ward. 'Yesterday, a patient came. He was diagnosed with COVID. Today, he died at around 4 in the was 40 years old and belonged to Firozabad, UP. He was suffering from some respiratory problem and fever, then he was referred here from Ludhiana... We have made an isolation ward. We suspect more people to come here suffering from variant has not been identified now, it is preliminary,' Thami said. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has confirmed that while COVID-19 cases were reported again in parts of the country, the current variants in circulation were showing mild symptoms similar to the Omicron strain. According to the Chief Executive Officer of Dr Dangs Lab, Arjun Dang, the rising cases of Covid-19 belonged to the sub-lineage of the Omicron virus. Dang further stated that in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, the variants that were named as 'Variants under Monitoring' were of types LF7 and NV181 and were more transmissible. 'We must understand that the current spreading variants are again a sublineage of the Omicron virus. Additionally, in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, we have certain other sub-variants that have been named Variants Under Monitoring, and these are basically of two types, LF7 and NV181. Currently, the cases that we are seeing are more transmissible. They can infect people easily, but again, from the severity perspective, till now, we have not seen any severe cases,' Dang told ANI. On Monday, India reported 1,009 active COVID-19 cases in the country on Monday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. As per the Health Ministry, India's COVID-19 update showed a total of 1009 active cases, with 752 new cases recently confirmed. According to the government data, Kerala currently tops the chart with the highest number of active cases at 430. Other states with notable case counts include Maharashtra (209), Delhi (104), Gujarat (83), and Karnataka (47). (ANI)
