Punjab is experiencing a significant increase in individuals seeking treatment at Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics, following the launch of the state’s vigorous anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War against Drugs). Despite this rise in patient registrations, the success of the campaign is hindered by a critical shortage of psychiatrists and counsellors.
Current Staffing Shortages
At present, only 45 psychiatrists are available to serve 542 OOAT clinics across Punjab, with some districts lacking a single psychiatrist. The shortage extends to counsellors as well, with merely 216 counsellors in the state despite the health department’s recommendation of two counsellors per clinic for those with over 100 daily patients. This shortfall severely impacts the clinics’ ability to deliver adequate care.
Role of Mental Health Professionals
Psychiatrists are essential for:
- Monitoring patient medication
- Inspecting clinics
- Approving new patients for treatment
Without sufficient psychiatrists, many patients experience lengthy delays in enrollment. Patient registration numbers reflect this issue, rising from 816 in February to 1,391 in March, and then falling slightly to 1,168 in April. Experts argue these figures could have been even higher if mental health staffing were adequate.
Impact and Future Steps
Since its inception in 2017, the OOAT program has registered over 10 lakh patients. Parminder Singh, the state president of the Government De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Employees Union, stresses that the campaign’s success depends heavily on filling these staffing gaps, warning that the quality of treatment suffers without sufficient psychiatrists and counsellors.
The Punjab government acknowledges this hidden crisis and is taking steps to hire 343 clinical psychologists along with more psychiatrists to bridge the manpower gap. Officials are optimistic that these efforts will enhance treatment accessibility and quality.
Opportunities for Aspiring Healthcare Professionals
For students and career aspirants interested in mental health and addiction treatment, this situation presents growing job opportunities. Pursuing education and training in psychology, psychiatry, or counselling can lead to fulfilling careers that make a meaningful impact on society.
Stay connected to Manzil Learning for the latest updates on admissions and career guidance in this vital sector.
