Night shelters to get mobile health van for de-addiction

NEW DELHI: Night shelters in Delhi will get mobile drug de-addiction centres to help people combat drug addiction and come to the shelters, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Friday, asserting that this will not only help people but also become a model of health and social development.

Sisodia inaugurated a mobile health van to help homeless in de-addiction at the Delhi government's night shelter at Yamuna Bazaar.

Located near the Red Fort, Yamuna Bazar is home to a large community of slum dwellers and has a large population of drug abusers, ranging from children to ageing adults.

"The biggest challenge for the homeless and the biggest inhibitor against their using of night shelters is addiction and its own set of challenges. But the approach of the dandaa works no more. Only gale se lagaanaa is the best approach," the Deputy CM said.

Sisodia said that the mobile vans are a step by the government to reduce and complete stop substance abuse, through detox, strategic intervention, restoration or rehabilitation and behaviour modification of the city's homeless addicts.

"It is part of the government's larger strategy in rehabilitation and treatment of children and adult addict population, lining the Yamuna Bazaar and Yamuna banks, known as the Yamuna Pushta Project.

"In the coming months, the government seeks to make active therapeutic and skill-building interventions in the area with the help of NGOs, Women and Child Welfare Department and experts to treat and rehabilitate the addicted children and the young adult population of the region," said Sisodia.

The Deputy CM also spoke on the successfully running over 250 night shelters in the city, which have a total housing capacity for more than 20000, and are replete with above average amenities such as blankets, TV, libraries, health facilities and food provision.

Among these night shelters, 83 are permanent buildings, 113 porta cabins and 55 temporary shelters.

At present, 83 shelters are equipped with geysers, while many others are furnished with electricity and TV sets for the entertainment of the residents.

Recently, the Delhi government had announced that

different teams of four health staff, lead by a doctor, will visit all night shelters in the city from Monday, to check the basic health conditions of the people.

The government also has plans to connect the night shelters with mohalla clinics, so that people get easy access to the medicine and healthcare.