Finally, psychiatrist appointed at de-addiction centre

Manav Mander

Advertisement

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 30

Dr Vivek Goyal has finally been appointed as a regular psychiatrist for drug de-addiction centre at Civil Hospital here. Patients will now heave a sigh of relief as the Out Patient Department (OPD) will become regular.

The centre was running without a permanent psychiatrist after the arrest of Dr Sudha Vasudeva on December 19, last year. She was arrested by the Jagraon police for illegally selling psychotropic drugs to addicts from a private clinic in Mullanpur Dakha. A case was registered against her under the NDPS Act.

Dr Raina Garg from Jagraon was coming to Ludhiana on Tuesday and Friday and was looking after the patients in the absence of any permanent post.

Apart from looking at the de-addiction centre at the Civil Hospital, Dr Goyal will also be looking after the re-habilitation centre of Red Cross and de-addiction centre at jail.

SMO Dr Parwinder Pal Singh Sidhu said, “Dr Vivek Goyal has been appointed as psychiatrist for the drug de-addiction centre at Civil Hospital. Now patients can visit the OPD any day.”

Many patients had to discontinue their treatment in the absence of a doctor while others shifted to private clinics.

Balbir Singh, a patient, said I am happy that a new permanent doctor had been appointed. “Earlier the doctor was not available on all days. Now, I can come to the centre on any day,” he said.

Paramjeet Kaur, who was accompanying a patient, said earlier, they had to discontinue the treatment of their son due to non-availability of the doctor. “I came to know that a new doctor has taken charge so I came to the hospital with my son for his regular treatment,” she added.