Ministry of Narcotics to set up a Helpline for Illicit Drug Addicts
Press Release, Islamabad, 10th December: Ministry of Narcotics Control signs a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with Sehat Kahani to setup Telemedicine Helpline for Illicit Drug Addicts.
Ministry of Narcotics Control signed an MoU with Sehat Kahani (E-Health Clinic network). A Helpline will be set up under a pilot project UMANG for individuals who unfortunately fall into the habit of addiction and need help to connect to counsellors, psychiatrists and psychologists.
Federal Minister Muhammad Azam Khan Swati witnessed the ceremony. Secretary Narcotics Control Shoaib Dastgir and senior officials of the ministry were also present.
Project “UMANG” is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Narcotics Control in collaboration with Sehat Kahani which would allow Pakistani youth to access Mental Health Counseling and referrals free of cost through a Helpline. The Helpline will be free for 3 months. The Helpline is expected to be active in the first week of January 2021.
“Ministry of Narcotics Control envisions a healthier and a productive nation, free from the menace of illicit drug usage, trafficking and manufacturing. Project ‘Umang’ is a step towards that vision,” said Federal Minister Azam Swati.
Under this initiative, Sehat Kahani will be providing free of cost, confidential and easily accessible Mental Health Counseling services through a dedicated 24/7 ‘Umang Helpline’ to the youth to help them reduce the indulgence in excessive smoking or drug addiction and to create awareness around the issues of addictions through a digital awareness campaign. This Helpline service will be end-to-end encrypted, allowing the caller to connect with Sehat Kahani’s Mental Health experts in less than a minute whilst ensuring total anonymity and confidentiality.
On the auspicious occasion, Federal Minister Azam Swati said that he is geared towards extirpating his menace from society and save the youth from this evil.
Dr Sara Saeed Khurram, CEO of Sehat Kahani said that drug users avoid seeking help due to the fear of stigmatization. The Helpline and mobile application will ensure anonymity and ease of accessibility and help in tackling this problem.
Dr Iffat Zafar Aga, COO of Sehat Kahani said that there is a limited number of mental experts in the country; this service will make mental experts accessible to every citizen.
Along with the helpline, project “Umang” will create a 360-degree awareness campaign using digital and non-digital mediums to help students recognize the value of their lives, their future, the worth of their contribution to the future of Pakistan and how drugs can take away that dream. The slogan would be: Choose Pakistan-Say No to Drugs.
Federal Minister Azam Swati said that Ministry of Narcotics Control is committed to its mission to act ‘NOW’ using technology and innovations as its strength. Ministry of Narcotics Control in collaboration with Sehat Kahani has created a first of its kind Telemedicine based Helpline to help reduce the menace of drug addiction in our youth.
The objective of “UMANG” Helpline is to act against drug abuse in the youth by connecting them to professional Mental Health experts.
Ministry of Narcotics Control (MNC) is working vigorously to rid Pakistan of the ever-increasing threat of drug abuse. To support the Ministry in this noble mission, Sehat Kahani has joined hands to provide free of cost helpline to curb drug addiction amongst Pakistani youth.
Sehat Kahani is a leading health-tech Social Enterprise that connects patients in need of health care to an online network of 1500 doctors using a telemedicine-based solution in the form of a web/mobile-based application and supporting helpline.
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