Punjab to Train Medical Officers amid Psychiatrists Shortage at OOAT Clinics

Chandigarh: In response to a severe shortage of psychiatrists across Punjab, the state health department has announced a major policy shift- Medical Officers (MOs) in charge of Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics will now be trained to take on key responsibilities traditionally handled by psychiatrists. This strategic move aims to ensure the smooth functioning of the state’s OOAT clinics, which play a crucial role in addressing opioid addiction.

OOAT clinics have long depended on psychiatrists for vital functions. Currently, Punjab has only 45 psychiatrists to manage a staggering 542 OOAT centres, leaving several districts without a single psychiatrist. These specialists are essential in managing opioid addiction, including monitoring and adjusting dosages, authorising new patient registrations, and approving take-home medication.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that to provide health care services to drug addicts, the Punjab government will set up Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics in the state's Community Health Centres (CHC), Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra said.

Also Read: Punjab government to set up outpatient opioid clinics for drug addicts

To mitigate the crisis, the department has initiated a plan to train MOs through a specialized module developed with the help of psychiatrists who previously attended a workshop at the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS. These psychiatrists will now serve as trainers for the MOs.

This decision was reportedly made by the department in response to complaints from drug addicts about the unavailability of necessary psychiatric support.

Additionally, each new drug addict is enrolled in the programme only after receiving approval from a psychiatrist. According to officials, some districts are operating with just one psychiatrist, making it difficult to maintain quality counselling and rehabilitation services.

Also Read: More than 83,000 drug addicts treated so far in OOAT clinics: Punjab Health Min

The official confirmed that an acute shortage of psychiatrists in the state had caused delays in approving changes to home dosages for drug addicts. Since only psychiatrists were authorized to perform this task, the restriction was creating bottlenecks in the OOAT Clinics.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, he added, “After training, MOs will be empowered to make changes in home-away dosages of drug addicts, alleviating a rush at OOAT clinics having high patient footfall. Now, drug addicts will not have to travel too far off places to get changes in their daily dosages.”