Govt not to shift OST Centre from Shillong civil hospital: Health Minister

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 24, 2024

Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Tuesday informed that the governmnet has no intention to shift the Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Centre from the Shillong Civil Hospital.

“I have had a long discussion that day, it was brought to my attention and there was this demand to remove that OST from there, but unfortunately the law does not allow us to go that direction,” Lyngdoh told reporters.

She said there is need to figure out why there are these gaps in the system and what are the ways and means to do it. 

According to her, it is not proper to chase people away especially those who need help. 

“I am very happy that the drug users association also came forward. They are also now handling it, volunteers are being provided. Don’t just chase people away and put them into boxes further away from reach of assistance, that’s not the way to function and there are laws there are covering all of these actions,” Lyngdoh said.

Requesting the HYC to handle the issue in a proper manner, Lyngdoh said, “…there are laws that are guiding us. We cannot operate outside of the purview of law, so they are in agreement, I have requested them to come forward to help us. Help the government, if you see that there are these anti-social elements, instead of wanting to chase them away, let’s find a way to help them that is the only way we have to handle because no other way will be permitted by law.”

“So please give us time, we need to house that center in a better manner. We need to provide proper counselling. We need to provide proper facilities so that we handhold those that have gone away from main stream. We have to try bringing them to the main stream in a proper manner without judging anyone, without targeting anyone,” she said while assuring “Please believe that this government is concerned and we are going to be working out ways and means to sort this whole problem out.”