Punjab to Introduce HIV, Hepatitis B and C Screening at Government De-addiction Centres

The Punjab government is set to introduce screening for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C at government de-addiction and rehabilitation facilities as part of its Yudh Nashean Virudh initiative, aiming to strengthen healthcare for people with substance-use disorders and improve early detection of blood-borne infections.

The initiative, launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, will integrate what is being described as Triple H screening into the de-addiction and rehabilitation process. The approach is intended to provide more consistent access to testing, facilitate timely referrals and ensure that patients requiring further investigation or treatment receive appropriate medical care.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said people with a history of injecting drug use face an increased risk of blood-borne infections, making early detection essential for timely treatment and counselling.

“Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Yudh Nashean Virudh is leading a revolution towards a stronger, healthier and prosperous Punjab. Our goal is not simply to help people overcome addiction, but also to enable them to lead healthier lives and contribute to society,” Dr. Balbir Singh said.

He added that integrating HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C screening into de-addiction services was another step towards ensuring that recovery leads to a healthier and more fulfilling future.

Previously, screening for HIV and hepatitis was often conducted through periodic camps, typically held at intervals of around two months. While these camps provided testing opportunities, the system offered limited scope to track individuals who missed screening or required follow-up care.

Under the new approach, screening will be linked directly to de-addiction and rehabilitation services rather than relying primarily on periodic camps. This is expected to help identify individuals who need testing and improve referrals for diagnosis, treatment and continued medical support.

The government said the initiative recognises the link between substance use and the risk of infections transmitted through blood, including those associated with sharing needles and syringes. Early diagnosis is particularly important as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can remain undetected for years in people who do not experience noticeable symptoms.

The move follows other steps taken by the state to strengthen the detection of infectious diseases. In August, Dr. Balbir Singh announced the adoption of advanced testing technologies, including Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) and Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA), to improve the early detection of transfusion-transmitted infections and enhance blood safety in Punjab.

Diagnostic testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C is also available free of cost at Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state, according to the government.

The integration of Triple H screening forms part of a broader approach to substance-use treatment, recognising that recovery involves more than withdrawal management and abstinence. Counselling, psychological support, medical care and social rehabilitation are also important to sustained recovery and reintegration into communities.

With the screening rollout already underway in private facilities and government centres expected to follow shortly, the initiative aims to expand access to testing and strengthen continuity of care for people affected by substance use.