Punjab Health Minister Launches Capacity Building Training for Doctors Under Anti-Drug Campaign

SAS Nagar, August 26, 2025: Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr Balbir Singh, today inaugurated the Capacity Building Training of Medical Officers at the Cluster Resource Centre, (Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences) Mohali under the State Government’s flagship Yudh Nasheyan Virudh campaign- being spearheaded by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

He said, “This training program is part of a larger strategy to strengthen Punjab’s de-addiction and rehabilitation services through the Data Intelligence and Technical Support Unit (DITSU), established at AIMS, Mohali in collaboration with the Ananya Birla Foundation. Supported by leading national institutions including NDDTC-AIIMS, PGIMER Chandigarh, IIT Ropar, and TISS Mumbai, DITSU follows a hub-and-spoke model to ensure seamless technical support and on-ground execution across the state.

Dr Balbir Singh further said, “The fight against drugs is a priority for the Punjab Government. Through scientific training, real-time monitoring, and expansion of de-addiction infrastructure, we are determined to make treatment services more accessible and patient-centric. Medical Officers, counsellors, police personnel, and psychologists are being equipped with the skills to deliver effective, compassionate, and professional care.”

Under this initiative, Psychiatrists trained at AIIMS are conducting a five-day intensive program covering theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and legal awareness. The aim is to enhance the capacity of Medical Officers and allied staff to manage substance use disorders at the grassroots level.

Highlighting Punjab’s Strengthened De-Addiction Network, Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education and Research Minister said that over 5,000 dedicated de-addiction & rehabilitation beds have been made available across Punjab. Free-of-cost treatment including boarding, lodging, meals, and medicines is being provided at 36 Government De-Addiction Centres, 19 Government Rehabilitation Centres, 143 Private De-Addiction Centres, and 72 Private Rehabilitation Centres.

Similarly, 547 OOAT (Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment) Clinics with more than 10.31 lakh registered patients have been contributing to make Punjab Drug Free.

Dr Balbir Singh added that Methadone Clinics have been made operational in Amritsar, Bathinda, Kapurthala, with expansion underway in Jalandhar, Mohali, Faridkot, and Patiala. This methodology will help in curbing sharing of needle by the addicts.

The Minister also highlighted the state’s focus on real-time monitoring through the DDRP (Drug De-addiction and Registry) Portal and the involvement of Cluster Resource Centres (CRCs) at medical colleges in Mohali, Patiala, Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Faridkot to implement state-level strategies locally.
Dr. Balbir Singh lauded the commitment of Medical Officers and experts, stating that their collective efforts will ensure “a healthier and drug-free Punjab.”

Prominent among the officers present included Basant Garg, Secretary Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, Mrs Bhavneet Bharti, Director Principal Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohali, Navdeep Saini, Medical Superintendent (AIMS), Civil Surgeon Dr Sangeeta Jain and a batch of 35 Medical Officers getting training with four Psychiatrists as Master Trainers.