RAJKOT: A deaddiction clinic was inaugurated at the AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) Rajkot on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day on Tuesday. The AIIMS Rajkot started its outdoor patient department (OPD) in December last year. It is expected that the multispeciality hospital will start full-fledged operations by August 2023.
According to AIIMS, in Gujarat, 24% men and 8% women consume tobacco in one form or the other. World Health Organization (WHO) observes World No Tobacco Day on May 31 every year with to create awareness about the dangers of using tobacco.
AIIMS Rajkot executive director Dr C D S Katoch said, “We have started the addiction treatment clinic under the department of psychiatry. This clinic is committed to providing specialised treatment and counselling services to tobacco users who need assistance to quit or reduce tobacco use.”
Dr Gyatri Bhatiya will head the deaddiction clinic that will remain open from Monday to Saturday. Patients suffering from tobacco use disorder and other substance use problems will be provided medication as well as counselling at the clinic.
