Raipur, Chhattisgarh |: In a significant step toward expanding de-addiction and substance abuse treatment services in Chhattisgarh, the Department of Psychiatry at AIIMS Raipur, in collaboration with the Chhattisgarh State AIDS Control Society (CSACS), has launched a two-day capacity-building training program aimed at strengthening the state’s eight Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Centres.
The initiative is designed to transform the existing OST Centres into comprehensive de-addiction treatment facilities capable of providing holistic care, including medical treatment, psychosocial counseling, rehabilitation, and follow-up support for individuals suffering from various forms of substance use disorders.
Focus on Comprehensive Addiction Treatment
The training program seeks to expand the scope of services currently offered at the OST Centres, which have primarily been providing treatment to people who inject drugs (PWID) and individuals with opioid dependence. These patients often face a higher risk of contracting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and other blood-borne infections.
Under the new initiative, the centres will now also provide treatment for individuals addicted to other narcotic and psychoactive substances, ensuring access to psychological support, rehabilitation services, relapse prevention, and long-term patient care.
Program Inaugurated by AIIMS Raipur Executive Director
The training program was inaugurated by Lieutenant General (Retd.) Ashok Kumar Jindal, Executive Director of AIIMS Raipur, while Dean Dr. Eli Mahapatra presided over the event.
Among those present were:
- Dr. Lokesh Kumar Singh, Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry
- Dr. Aditya Somani, Associate Professor
- Dr. Lakshmi Nirisa P., Assistant Professor
- Dr. Vineet Patel, Assistant Professor
Representing the Chhattisgarh State AIDS Control Society were:
- Dr. Khemraj Sonwani, Additional Project Director
- Vikrant Verma, Deputy Director
- Hitesh Maheshwari, Assistant Director
- Keshav Pandey, Divisional Assistant, along with other officials and staff members.
Addiction Is a Major Public Health Challenge
Addressing the gathering, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Ashok Kumar Jindal emphasized that drug addiction is not merely a medical condition but a serious social and public health challenge.
He noted that a substantial gap still exists between the need for addiction treatment and the availability of healthcare services, stressing that this gap can only be bridged through coordinated efforts by healthcare institutions, government agencies, and society.
He reaffirmed AIIMS Raipur’s commitment to supporting the state through technical guidance, capacity building, professional training, and expert consultation to strengthen de-addiction services across Chhattisgarh.
Around 50 Healthcare Professionals Undergoing Training
The two-day training program has brought together nearly 50 participants from the state’s eight OST Centres, including:
- Medical Officers
- Staff Nurses
- Counselors
- Data Managers
- Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs)
During the training, experts will conduct sessions on:
- De-addiction treatment protocols
- Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST)
- Psychosocial counseling
- Patient management
- Medical record maintenance
- Quality improvement in treatment services
- Practical clinical approaches for effective addiction care.
Towards Accessible and Sustainable De-Addiction Services
The Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS Raipur, stated that similar capacity-building and professional training programs will continue to be organized in the future to improve the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of de-addiction services across the state.
Officials described the initiative as an excellent example of collaboration between AIIMS Raipur and the Government of Chhattisgarh, aimed at building a stronger, more effective, and patient-centric addiction treatment network.
Key Highlights
- AIIMS Raipur launched a two-day training program for eight OST Centres in Chhattisgarh.
- The initiative aims to convert OST Centres into comprehensive de-addiction treatment facilities.
- Nearly 50 healthcare professionals are participating in the training.
- The program focuses on opioid dependence treatment, psychosocial counseling, rehabilitation, patient management, and quality healthcare services.
- AIIMS Raipur reaffirmed its commitment to expanding accessible, high-quality, and sustainable de-addiction services across the state.
