Punjab Govt to introduce Triple H screening at De-addiction centres under ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’
HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C testing to be integrated into government de-addiction and rehabilitation services
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, October 3, 2026: The Punjab government will soon introduce routine screening for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C at government de-addiction and rehabilitation facilities as part of its ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign against drug abuse.
The initiative aims to integrate screening for blood-borne infections into addiction treatment and rehabilitation services, allowing people with substance-use disorders to access testing, counselling, treatment and follow-up care as part of the recovery process.
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 important for timely medical intervention and counselling.
He said the initiative was aimed not only at helping people overcome addiction but also at enabling them to lead healthier lives and reintegrate into society.
“Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Yudh Nashean Virudh is leading a revolution towards a stronger, healthier and prosperous Punjab,” Dr Balbir Singh said.
Screening to move beyond periodic camps
The government said HIV and hepatitis screening had earlier been conducted through periodic camps, often at intervals of around two months. While such camps provided testing opportunities, the system offered limited scope for tracking people who missed a camp or required follow-up.
Under the new approach, screening will be linked directly with de-addiction and rehabilitation services rather than relying primarily on periodic camps.
The government expects the integrated system to provide more regular opportunities for testing and enable health facilities to refer people who test positive for further investigation, treatment and medical care.
A person who missed a periodic screening camp could previously remain outside the testing cycle until the next camp was organised. Linking testing with de-addiction services is expected to make it easier to identify those requiring screening and ensure timely referrals.
Free testing already available at Aam Aadmi Clinics
The move comes amid wider efforts by the state government to strengthen the detection and management of communicable diseases.
The government said diagnostic testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C is available free of cost at all Aam Aadmi Clinics in Punjab.
In August, Dr Balbir Singh had also announced the adoption of advanced testing technologies, including Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) and Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA), to improve early detection of transfusion-transmitted infections and strengthen blood safety in the state.
HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can remain undetected for long periods because infected individuals may not experience noticeable symptoms. Early diagnosis can help facilitate timely treatment and medical care.
Broader approach to addiction recovery
The integration of Triple H screening reflects a broader approach to substance-use treatment, with recovery extending beyond withdrawal management and abstinence.
The government said counselling, psychological support, medical treatment and social rehabilitation are important components of sustained recovery, along with identifying and managing associated health conditions.
The rollout of the screening programme has already begun in private facilities, while government de-addiction and rehabilitation centres are expected to adopt the system shortly.