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Punjab Adds HIV and Hepatitis Screening to De-addiction Services
Punjab plans to add tests for HIV and two kinds of hepatitis at government centres that help people with drug dependence.
The tests will be offered as part of treatment and rehabilitation.
This means people may have more chances to get tested than when testing is only offered at occasional camps.
If a test finds an infection, health workers can help arrange more care and follow-up.
The programme is part of Punjab’s ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ initiative.
It has already started in private facilities, and government centres are expected to introduce it soon.
Punjab also offers these tests free at Aam Aadmi Clinics.
The goal is to connect addiction care with other medical support.
Punjab plans to offer HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C screening at government de-addiction and rehabilitation centres.
The programme is part of the state’s ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ initiative and aims to link testing with substance-use treatment.
The government says screening can help identify infections and connect people with further investigation, treatment and follow-up.
The approach is intended to replace reliance on periodic screening camps, which people could miss while waiting for the next opportunity.
The programme is already in private facilities and is expected to begin shortly at government centres; the three tests are also free at Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Clinics.
- Who
- The Punjab government, including health services and de-addiction and rehabilitation facilities.
- What
- Screening for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C is being integrated with de-addiction and rehabilitation services.
- Where
- Punjab, India, at de-addiction and rehabilitation facilities.
- When
- The programme is already rolled out in private facilities; government centres are expected to implement it shortly. The article gives no specific date.
- Why
- To offer more regular testing, identify infections early and connect people with further investigation, treatment and follow-up.
Integrated screening
Periodic screening camps
Access to testing
Integrated screening
Linking screening with de-addiction services is intended to provide more consistent opportunities for testing and follow-up.
Periodic screening camps
Testing through camps held at intervals could mean that people who miss a camp must wait until the next opportunity.
Key facts
- Infections covered
- HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C
- Programme
- Yudh Nashean Virudh
- Planned sites
- Government de-addiction and rehabilitation facilities
- Current rollout
- Screening has been rolled out in private facilities; government centres are expected to implement it shortly.
- Other testing access
- The three tests are available free at Aam Aadmi Clinics in Punjab.
- Earlier testing model
- Periodic screening camps, which could leave people waiting if they missed a camp.
- Minister quoted
- Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh
Sources
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