Punjab’s New ‘Triple H’ Screening Plan: Punjab plans to start regular checks for HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C at state de-addiction and rehab centres. This will be done under the “Yudh Nashean Virudh” drive to fight drug misuse.
Officials say the effort will be called “Triple H” screening. It will add tests for the three infections to the usual rehab steps for people seeking help. The goal is to find infections sooner and make sure counselling, care, and later follow-up happen without delay.
Those who inject drugs are more likely to get HIV and viral hepatitis. This risk goes up when needles or syringes are not clean or when they are shared with others. In many cases, these infections may show no clear signs for a long time. That is why routine testing is seen as a key part of health services for people in addiction treatment.
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said that spotting these infections early in people with a past of injecting drug use matters. He added that early care helps doctors act sooner and also supports counselling.
Dr. Singh said, “People with a history of injecting drug use face an increased risk of blood-borne infections, and that early detection is important for timely medical care and counselling.”
The decision comes while concerns continue about HIV spread in Punjab. The National AIDS Control Organisation said the state has about 1,10,715 people living with HIV. It also noted an adult HIV rate of 0.42%. Punjab is thus counted among the places that need stronger HIV work. Before this, HIV and hepatitis checks at de-addiction centers often relied on planned camps. These camps were usually held with a gap of around two months.
Now, the plan is to connect tests with de-addiction and rehab services. The aim is to keep checkups on a steadier schedule. It should also help find people who need further confirmatory tests, care, or ongoing medical support.
Punjab increased HIV testing at Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment sites earlier in the year. In May, there were 455 working OOAT centres. Officials also said there were about 3.09 lakh registered clients.
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The state government added that HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C diagnostic tests are free at Aam Aadmi Clinics in Punjab.
He added, “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. By integrating HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C screening into de-addiction services, the Government is taking another important step towards ensuring that recovery leads to a meaningful and brighter future.”
Officials also said they will use newer tools for early detection. These include Nucleic Acid Testing and Chemiluminescence Immunoassay. The government said this will help reduce transfusion-linked infections and make blood safer.
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