HC asks GMC Patiala reasons for patient preference for private rehabs

Patiala: Patiala Government Medical College has been asked for an explanation as to why patients seem to prefer privately managed de addiction centres over Government run facilities.

The Court while hearing a petition on the functioning of rehabilitation and de-addiction centres in the state, questioned the state for not utilizing the infrastructural facilities at the de-addiction centre in Janer village of Moga district.It also asked for reasons for patients not being shifted to the Janer Institute.

The judicial body ordered for submission of a status report on programs conducted for counselling and sensitization of the staff at the government run rehabilitation and de addiction centres in the state of Punjab.

The inquisition has taken place nearly 8 years after the Court asserted that the state was abounding with narcotics.

The judicial bench was responding to a 2008 petition filed by Talwinder Pal Singh and another petitioner which was coming up for a resumed hearing .

The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Sudhir Mittal was told that a state-level committee had been constituted to improve the rehabilitation centers and administration of de-addiction centers.

It was also informed that the medical college was asked to submit a report on the reasons for patient preference for privately managed centres. Once the report was received, the state-level committee would submit its recommendations to it.

On May 19, the High Court, had directed Punjab and Haryana along with Chandigarh to constitute Committees, before apprising the Bench of the measures suggested for the betterment of rehabilitation centers and administration of de-addiction centers, reports Tribune.