Malda Med College & Hosp gets addiction treatment centre

Under the Psychiatric department of Malda Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) an Addiction Treatment Facility Centre was inaugurated in the hospital premises on Tuesday afternoon. This centre will be used to counsel and treat the persons indulging in substance abuse. The outdoor facility has started for now.

The indoor treatment facility is to commence shortly.Parthapratim Mukhopadhyay, Principal of MMCH, said: “The number of persons addicted to various intoxicating items like liquor and drugs is on the rise. In such a scenario, such centres are need of the hour. We have set up the outdoor facilities here for now and are looking forward to start the indoor treatment facility soon.”

In absence of government centres for treating addiction, many private enterprises have set up rehabilitation centres in Malda. However, the role of such centres raises questions at times. So, an initiative from a government institution like MMCH is the need of the hour. The decision of establishing such a centre for the addicts has been welcomed by many.

Dipankar Kanji, Head of the Psychiatric department, said: “We are going to give the addicts, medicines and advice them how to manage withdrawal syndrome. The major part will be counseling to help them get back to normal life.”