National Consultation on Health Interventions for Substance Use Disorders organized by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in Guwahati on 5th and 6th September 2024.
Guwahati, Rongili Barta- Additional Secretary and Director General, MoHFW, Ms. V Hekali Zhimomi IAS inaugurated the two day’s National Consultation on Health Interventions for Substance Use Disorders on 5th September 2024, at Guwahati, Assam. In her inaugural address, V. Hekali Zhimomi, AS & DG, MOHFW highlighted that substance use is a serious public health concern adversely affecting the physical and mental health, socio-economic well-being and productivity of the country. She remarked on the rising trend of substance use with newer pockets of high vulnerability particularly in the north-eastern, northern and central parts of the country and reiterated the need for a comprehensive response from the health system in collaboration with other key ministries and stakeholders. The National Consultation brought together more than 75 participants including various government agencies, global and national technical experts. Commissioner & Secretary, Medical Education & Research Department Siddharth Singh IAS, Mission Director, National Health Mission S Lakshmanan IAS, and Sudhanshu Kumar Singh, Zonal Director, Narcotics Control Bureau graced the occasion along-with country heads of UNODC, UNAIDS and representative of WHO with State government representatives from over 15 states. In addition to senior officials from the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP), National AIDS Control Program (NACP), National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP), National Mental Health Program (NMHP), National Program on Non–Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), Heads of National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) AIIMS, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, (NIMHANS), Senior Psychiatrists, representatives from civil society organization and community members attended. During the two days’ event, the experts deliberated on the global trends of substance use disorders, the current global policies, strategies, models and best practices for providing a comprehensive health intervention for substance use disorders. The consultation concluded with a call to action for developing a clear strategic direction and evolve a framework for addressing the health needs of people who use drugs and for strengthening the national response for health interventions to address substance use disorders and related comorbidities in coordination with all key stakeholders. The event was hosted by Assam State AIDS Control Society led by Dr. Indranoshee Das, Project Director.