Andhra Pradesh to Modernise 16 Drug De-addiction Centres with Rs. 9.86 Crore

The Andhra Pradesh government is stepping up efforts to tackle substance abuse by upgrading 16 government-run drug de-addiction centres across the state at an estimated cost of Rs. 9.86 crore. The initiative aims to strengthen medical treatment, counselling and rehabilitation facilities for people struggling with drug addiction.

The Excise Department has released funds for improving infrastructure and equipping the centres with modern medical facilities. The proposed works include renovation of existing buildings, restructuring of rooms, installation of glass doors, strengthening of electrical systems and provision of modern furniture.

The centres will also receive advanced medical equipment, including biofeedback machines, breath-testing devices, multiparameter monitors and ECG machines. Digital information technology facilities will also be introduced to improve the delivery and management of healthcare services.

The programme is designed to expand addiction treatment facilities at the grassroots level while establishing advanced treatment and rehabilitation services at major regional hospitals.

Ten government teaching and major hospitals under the Medical Education Department have been selected for infrastructure development. These include Kurnool Government General Hospital, SVRRGG Hospital in Tirupati, Guntur Government General Hospital, Srikakulam Government General Hospital, Nandyal, Rajamahendravaram, Ongole and Vijayawada Government General Hospitals, along with King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam and the Government General Hospital's psychiatric facility in Kadapa.

Among these, Vijayawada Government General Hospital, King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam and the psychiatric facility in Kadapa will be developed as Centres of Excellence. These three regional facilities will provide specialised medical treatment, advanced addiction management and dedicated rehabilitation support.

The modernisation programme will also cover six additional healthcare facilities: Anakapalli District Hospital, Narasapuram Area Hospital, Narasaraopet Area Hospital, Chittoor District Hospital, Hindupur District Hospital and Bapatla Area Hospital.

Infrastructure improvements, electrical upgrades and the installation of essential medical equipment will be undertaken at these institutions.

Through this initiative, the government intends to make quality de-addiction services more accessible, particularly in district and remote areas. The expansion is expected to strengthen the state's healthcare response to substance abuse by combining medical intervention, counselling and rehabilitation under an improved public healthcare network.