Punjab Health Minister Reopens Advanced Autism Care Center in Mohali

Mohali: On World Autism Awareness Day, Punjab's Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh reopened the long-awaited Advanced Autism Care and Research Centre in Sector 79, Mohali. Initially inaugurated in 2021 by former Punjab Medical Education and Research Minister Raj Kumar Verka, the centre remained unused for years.

Its reopening on April 2, 2025, was expected to signal a fresh start in providing essential services for children with autism. The reopening ceremony, which was attended by key figures such as Health Secretary Kumar Rahul IAS and Dr. Bhavneet Bharti, the Director Principal of Dr. Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences, highlighted the significance of the Centre’s mission.

Autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how individuals perceive, communicate, and interact with the world, is increasingly prevalent. Parents of children with autism often face substantial financial burdens, with many spending over ₹20,000 per month on therapies and support services. The opening of a government-run centre like the Advanced Autism Care and Research Centre was expected to alleviate these financial pressures and provide specialized care.

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He cited the examples of Elon Musk and Thomas Edison, emphasizing that their success stories prove the importance of nurturing individuals with autism and providing them with the right support. Dr. Singh recounted how Thomas Edison’s mother, in the face of negative school reports, believed in her son’s intelligence and nurtured his abilities, ultimately leading Edison to become one of history’s greatest inventors.

The project, which has seen an investment of around ₹16 crore from past governments, faced delays due to what the health minister described as the previous government's indifference to the cause.

Despite the inauguration, the ceremony highlighted the centre's ongoing challenges. Only two buildings at the site had been cleaned for the event, while the rest of the premises remained vacant and neglected. The lack of professional staff was another significant issue; instead of the expected multi-disciplinary team of psychologists, speech therapists, and special educators, only medical students were present at the site. This raised concerns about the centre’s ability to provide the specialized care needed for children with autism.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Dr Bharti stated, “As of now, we are not officially in charge, but we assume we will oversee it as a research centre. As a part of the research, we have an important role to play, and we will do our best for the children because I am a passionate paediatrician. There were many challenges, and we were uncertain if the inauguration would even take place until the last moment. We worked tirelessly, and we made it to the inauguration.”

Parents and community members present at the event voiced their dissatisfaction over the repeated promises and lack of progress. Poonam, a member of the state disability board, stated that she had been a part of the project since day one, but it was shocking that no information had been received about the inauguration. She pointed out that this was the third time the centre had come into the limelight, yet no parent had benefited. The building remained abandoned, with only the front area cleaned for the event.

The Advanced Autism Care and Research Centre is designed to provide crucial support for children with autism, featuring training rooms, therapy spaces, and hostels for trainees. The centre is expected to employ a multi-disciplinary team of professionals, but with the current absence of a full-time staff and reliance on medical students, parents remain uncertain about the facility's ability to deliver on its promises.

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According to TOI, the minister commended the efforts of B R Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences in running the centre and assured that the Department of Medical Education and Research will provide full support for its success. He announced that additional facilities such as training programs and hostel accommodations will also be introduced in the coming days.