LUDHIANA: With drug overdose claiming many a life in Punjab, there is a sudden spurt in the number of patients at civil hospital de-addiction centre. Congress MP Ravneet Bittu, too, got nine patients admitted to the centre on Sunday. The rush, however, has left the staff in a dilemma as the centre has only 10 beds.
The MP brought addicts from Mullanpur and Jangpura in Dakha constituency. With three patients already admitted to the centre, extra beds had to be arranged to accommodate others. “We cannot keep these patients anywhere else in civil hospital as they require privacy. If more patients arrive, we might have to send them back,” said senior medical officer Dr Geeta.
Expressing helplessness, civil hospital psychiatrist Dr Vivek Goyal said the patient number has increased
manifold at the daily out-patient department (OPD), too. “Earlier in a month, over 1,000 patients visited
OPD and about 15 to 20 patients were admitted to the centre. But now, there is a surge. We will seek more beds and facilities at the centre,” he added.
Dr Geeta said, “The centre should also be fenced and have guards to help us better tackle the increasing number of patients. We will take up the issue with the government.”
Bittu said, “I will discuss the de-addiction centre issues with police, civil administration and the health department on Monday. The centre will be well equipped as we are receiving phone calls from many families in villages of Sidhwan Bet. They want their sons to shun
drugs.”
‘Help eradicate this menace’
Bittu appealed to the general public to inform police about drug suppliers. “People can help government eradicate this menace. I also request NGOs and other social organizations to provide clothes and fruits, among others, for addicts as their number is increasing,” he added.
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