Malout de-addiction centre non-operational

Malout de-addiction centre non-operational

Archit Watts

Muktsar, August 6

The de-addiction centre at the Malout Civil Hospital is lying non-operational for the past fortnight. Reason: The psychiatrist has been deputed as the District Immunisation Officer (DIO) at Muktsar.

Sources said nearly 20 patients used to be admitted to this de-addiction centre every month.

“Six patients were undergoing treatment at the de-addiction centre when it was closed on July 21. It is strange that the psychiatrist has been given the charge of the DIO, who has nothing to do with it. The number of patients at the rehabilitation centre at Thehri village will also drop as most of the addicts were sent from the Malout de-addiction centre.”

Nathu Ram Gandhi of Malout said, “I appeal to senior officers of the Health Department to depute a psychiatrist at the Malout Civil Hospital. Earlier, 50 to 60 patients were daily visiting the out-patient department (OPD).”

Dr Ranju Singla, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Muktsar, said, “The psychiatrist posted as a senior medical officer (SMO) at the Malout Civil Hospital was transferred a fortnight ago. The post of psychiatrist is lying vacant at Malout.”

Notably, the district has two psychiatrists. One of them has been posted at the Muktsar Civil Hospital and the other as the DIO at Muktsar.

Malout de-addiction centre non-operational