Navjeevan Kendra (Drug De-toxification and Treatment Centre) was started in September 2007, within the premises of Civil Hospital, Kapurthala. During those days, the menace of addiction was at its peak but there were no specialized De-addiction centres in the state. NJK happens to be the first specialized Deaddiction centre in the state and is unique co-ordinated initiative of District Administration, Health department and Red Cross Society.Gen. (Retd.) S.F.Rodrigues, PVSM, VSM, His Excellency, the then Governor of Punjab stateinaugurated the centre. The Psychiatrist, Dr. Sandeep Bhola was made the overall in-charge of the centre.
NJK is a holistic treatment centre to treat/cure persons suffering from substance/drug dependence. It is a 30 bedded treatment centre, located in the Civil Hospital Kapurthala. It's providing 21 days (Minimum) residential detoxification treatment with complete medical and psychiatric examination of the patients. Treatment of co-morbid physical or psychiatric complications is being provided by the specialist Doctors of Civil Hospital. The day starts with Yoga Classes and followed by the other activities as per schedule and regular group counselling and individual counselling sessions. The family counselling sessions are also being organized on weekly basis. In addition to this sleep induction and relaxing therapy with modern equipment to patients is being provided. It provides clean and homely environment with hygienic wholesome diet prepared from in house kitchen. Emergency backup is available 24 hours by the Civil Hospital Staff.
Many dignitaries which include the Ministers, bureaucrats, health personnel visited the centre and praised its functioning and the dedication of the staff.
In 2010, United Office on Drugs & Crime-Regional Office South Asia (UNODC-ROSA), New Delhi selected NJK for their pilot project on Methadone Maintenance therapy (MMT) after doing thorough evaluation and feasibility assessment. The MMT project was launched during February 2012, with this, Navjeevan Kendra become first centre in India to start MMT Project. On Successful completion of pilot study, MMT project has been taken over by the Department of Health, Government of India, New Delhi in 2014 and has now been named as Drug Treatment Clinic (DTC).In the DTC, besides Methadone, other medicines like Naltrexone, Disulfiram etc. have been dispensed free of cost to the clients.
In addition to this NJK has an Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Centre. In the OST centre, Buprenorphine tablets are dispensed to the Injecting Drug User (IDU) clients, free of cost.
This is worth mentioning that we advocated for the free or subsidised treatment for HCV reactive clients and the state government has been kind enough to provide free treatment of Hepatitis C to the HCV Clients.
NJK is the only De-addiction Centre in India where all three projects (De-Toxification Centre, MMT and OST) are functioning under one roof.
Appreciating the services and dedication shown by Dr. Sandeep Bhola, on the occasion of Independence Day i.e. August 15th, 2015Hon'ableChief Minister of Punjab, presented him with the State Award.
In December 2015, another addition NJK was made in form of a 50 bedded Rehabilitation Centre where the clients who need, long term stay and Comprehensive Therapy including Psychological, Spiritual, Vocational Rehabilitation etc., are kept.
On 26-6-2016 on the occasion of International Day against Drugs, the Navjeevan Kendra has been conferred with National Award by the Hon’able President of India.
In 2015, the state government as well the Government of India, nominated the In-charge of NJK, Dr. Sandeep Bhola to attend the Child Substance Use Disorder Treatment Curricula,organised by Colombo Plan, Drug Advisory Programme and sponsored by Department of States USA which he has successfully completed.
