Telangana Inaugurates Deaddiction Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad
In a significant move to address the escalating crisis of substance abuse, Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha officially launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Erragadda, Hyderabad, on Tuesday. This initiative marks a pivotal step in the state's public health strategy, aiming to provide comprehensive and structured care for individuals struggling with addiction.
Hub-and-Spoke Model for Statewide Coverage
The newly established CoE will operate under an innovative hub-and-spoke model, designed to maximize reach and efficiency across Telangana. The IMH will serve as the central hub, coordinating advanced treatment, training, and diagnostic support. Meanwhile, all 35 government medical colleges and their associated hospitals will function as spokes, housing dedicated Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs). This network ensures that deaddiction services are accessible throughout the state, reducing barriers to care.
Two-Phase Treatment Approach
The treatment protocol at these facilities is meticulously structured into two critical phases:
- Acute Phase: This initial stage focuses on managing substance intoxication, requiring immediate inpatient care in specialized intensive care units (SICUs) to address medical emergencies and stabilize patients.
- Post-Acute Phase (DAC): Following stabilization, the emphasis shifts to counselling, rehabilitation, and societal reintegration. This phase involves ongoing support to help individuals rebuild their lives and prevent relapse.
To bolster this approach, counsellors will be deployed across all 35 government general hospitals, ensuring continuous psychological support is available at every spoke location.
Comprehensive Support and Collaboration
Dr. A Narendra Kumar, Director of Medical Education (DME) for Telangana, elaborated on the operational framework. The ATFs will integrate both acute care units and deaddiction counselling services, staffed by a multidisciplinary team of trained psychologists, counsellors, and medical professionals. Technical and training assistance will be provided in collaboration with NIMHANS Bengaluru, a premier mental health institute. This partnership includes:
- Specialized training programs for doctors, lab technicians, and counsellors.
- Online educational modules tailored for medical graduates to enhance their expertise in addiction medicine.
The IMH, as the Centre of Excellence, will not only deliver advanced care but also handle severe cases referred from peripheral facilities, ensuring that complex needs are met with specialized interventions.
Addressing Long-Term Challenges
Dr. Kumar highlighted a persistent challenge in addiction treatment: the long-term institutionalization of certain patients, with a small percentage remaining admitted for several years. In response, the initiative will prioritize improving discharge systems and promoting family and community-based rehabilitation. Efforts will focus on creating sustainable support networks that facilitate smoother transitions back into society, thereby enhancing recovery outcomes and reducing dependency on institutional care.
This launch underscores Telangana's commitment to tackling substance abuse through a holistic, evidence-based approach, leveraging state-wide infrastructure and expert collaborations to foster healthier communities.
