Latest news with #YudhNasheyanDeVirudh
Time of India
3 days 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 |
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Punjab battles drug crisis, Mental Healthcare Act yet to be fully enforced
Chandigarh: Even as Punjab has waged a high-decibel war on drugs through its flagship 'Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh' campaign, the state govt has fallen short on a crucial front — the full implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 (MHCA), which experts say is essential for effective, rights-based treatment of drug addiction. While the state made progress in expanding treatment access, with over 10 lakh individuals currently undergoing treatment at 529 govt-run outpatient opioid assisted treatment (OOAT) centres and 180 private centres, experts have flagged critical gaps in aligning de-addiction services with the provisions of the MHCA. Punjab initiated steps toward implementing the Act by establishing the State Mental Health Authority (SMHA) in 2018 and notifying the Punjab State Mental Healthcare (Standards of Care) Rules in 2019. However, full enforcement remains elusive. The Punjab and Haryana high court earlier this year had directed the state to comply with all the mandatory provisions of the MHCA, pointing to the gaps in execution. The Act, once fully implemented, ensures that drug addiction is treated as a mental health issue — not a criminal one. It promotes care over punishment, dignity over stigma, and sustainable recovery over temporary detox, while safeguarding patient rights and ensuring standardised, ethical treatment practices. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No dark spots, 10 years younger! Just take this from Guardian URUHIME MOMOKO Learn More Undo The Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) wrote to Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh, urging the govt to expedite the MHCA implementation across the state. The IPS lauded the intent behind 'Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh', calling it a timely and sensitive response to Punjab's worsening substance abuse crisis. The society also welcomed the inclusion of private sector psychiatrists in the campaign, labelling it a much-needed step toward inclusive public health reform. The Indian Psychiatric Society members, however, expressed concern over the current treatment protocols in the state, calling these "flawed and a hindrance" in treatment. They stressed that all matters regarding the treatment of addiction had to be monitored under the provision of the MHCA and not under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. They also called for the routine use of evidence-based medications such as buprenorphine, in line with international standards, to ensure effective outcomes. The IPS recommended that during inspections of de-addiction centres or psychiatric facilities, any concerns involving psychiatrists should be referred to the district or state mental health review boards constituted under the MHCA. Disciplinary action, they said, should follow only after recommendations from these statutory bodies. A senior health department official said efforts were underway to implement the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 in its entirety, and the enforcement process was expected to be completed soon. Despite repeated attempts, health minister Dr Balbir Singh could not be reached for comments. Health Department Working On Modalities (BOX) Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh has announced that private psychiatrists would be permitted to dispense buprenorphine and naloxone to patients undergoing treatment for substance abuse. The department has started working on the modalities. MSID:: 121271378 413 |
India Gazette
13-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu slams Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann over Amritsar's illicit liquor consumption
New Delhi [India], May 13 (ANI): Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu on Monday slammed the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the death of 14 people due to consumption of illicit liquor in Amritsar's Majitha block. Taking to social media X, Bittu in a post wrote that the state government's 'Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh' campaign was just a 'political theatre', further alleging that the CM himself had a history with alcohol. '14 dead in Majitha -- families shattered by spurious liquor, while the @BhagwantManngovernment remains in deep so-called 'Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh' is nothing but political theatre. When the Chief Minister himself has a history with alcohol, how can the fight against addiction ever be sincere?' the post read. The Union Minister further stated that the Punjab government was busy in self-indulgence even when people were dying. Bittu further wrote that Punjab needed action, and the matter was no longer about politics, but about lives of people. 'The liquor mafia rules, people are dying, and the Mann government is busy in self-indulgence. Punjab doesn't need slogans anymore -- it needs action. This is no longer about politics, it's about lives,' the post further read. Fourteen people have died while six others have been hospitalised due to the consumption of illicit liquor under the Majitha block in Amritsar, as per the Punjab Police. The main distributor or the kingpin has been arrested in the incident that took place on the night of May 12 night, police said. Majitha Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said, 'An unfortunate tragedy has happened in Majitha. We got to know last night, we received reports from five villages that those who consumed liquor yesterday are in critical condition. We rushed our medical teams. Our medical teams are still going door-to-door.' 'Whether people have some symptoms or not, we are taking them to hospital so that we can save them. 14 people have died so far. The Governement is extending all the help possible. We are ensuring that this death toll doesn't have arrested the suppliers and further investigation is underway...' the Deputy Commissioner said. The police have arrested four other people in connection with this case as they were involved in the distribution of the illicit liquor to villagers in Majitha. An FIR has been registered under sections 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and 61A of the Excise Act. (ANI)
