New Delhi, Oct. 5 -- The Punjab government will introduce screening for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C at its de-addiction and rehabilitation facilities, integrating testing for blood-borne infections into treatment services for people with substance-use disorders.

The screening programme is being introduced under the state government's 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' initiative and is intended to provide more regular testing and follow-up for people undergoing treatment for drug dependence.

People who inject drugs are at higher risk of blood-borne infections, particularly when needles or syringes are shared. The state government said integrating screening with de-addiction services would help identify infections and facilitate referrals for fu...