Mohali : The Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh met the representatives of the Association of Psychiatrists (AOP) to discuss mental health policy concerns and possible solutions. In the meeting the minister agreed that for reforms in the existing mental health policy of the state and also said that the private psychiatrist cannot be ignored as clearly, they not only outnumber the government sector, but the patients are also more likely to visit the private sector as far as mental health issues are concerned due to the social stigma against mental illnesses persisting in the society.
Welcoming the move, the AOP representatives expressed their grievances and pending issues to which the health minister assured of immediate attention and resolution. In the meeting the representatives of AOP explained how the private sector psychiatrists are a necessary part of the government’s endeavor to move towards an illicit drug-free state. It was demanded that outpatient based de-addiction centers be allowed to function as per the Punjab government’s decision in the year 2020.