Srinagar, Feb 4: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, chaired an important meeting Tuesday with senior health officials to assess the progress on the establishment of the Rehabilitation and Counselling Centre for youth affected by substance abuse at Sanat Nagar. The DC directed the officers to take all steps for making OPD operational at R&CC Sgr.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Syed Ahmad Kataria, Chief Planning Officer Fayaz Ahmad Dar, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tahir Sajad, District Social Welfare Officer Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, Chief Education Officer Shabeena, Incharge Drug De-Addiction Centre GMC Dr Yasir Rather, and other senior officers.
During the meeting, the DC conducted a comprehensive review of the steps taken so far towards making the centre fully operational. Key requirements were finalised, including the need for additional manpower, paramedical staff, security personnel, sanitation facilities, baseline investigation labs, and other essential materials. The DC emphasised the urgency of getting these resources in place to ensure the Centre’s functionality at the earliest.
Dr Bhat highlighted the critical role of the centre in providing holistic rehabilitation services for youth battling substance abuse, with the ultimate goal of facilitating their reintegration into society. He urged the officials to collaborate closely with the Social Welfare Department, Health Department, and IMHANS to ensure the centre’s success.
Furthermore, the DC directed the officers to expedite the operationalization of the Outpatient Department (OPD) facility at the Centre, allowing immediate access to rehabilitation and counselling services for those affected by substance abuse.
This centre at Sanat Nagar will serve as an additional facility to the existing rehabilitation and counselling services provided at SMHS Hospital, IMHANS, and JVC Hospital, enhancing the district’s capacity to address the growing issue of substance abuse among the youth
