Chandigarh, July 21: Under the ongoing Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign, the Punjab Government has integrated Methadone Maintenance Therapy into its public health strategy to enhance recovery care for individuals facing severe opioid addiction. Six specialized clinics are currently operational across the state, located at Government Medical College in Faridkot, Civil Hospital in Ludhiana, Government Medical College in Patiala, alongside district hospital facilities in Gurdaspur, Mohali, and Jalandhar. Officials plan to open six additional centers in the near future, expanding the overall operational network to 12 facilities.
The introduction of this internationally recognized protocol offers a crucial care path for long-term patients who have not experienced sufficient progress through standard buprenorphine-based therapies offered at the state’s existing Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment centers. Methadone acts on the brain’s opioid receptors to reduce cravings and prevent withdrawal symptoms without inducing a high, allowing individuals to maintain daily stability.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh affirmed that the initiative aligns with guidelines established by the World Health Organization and the National AIDS Control Organisation.
“Methadone Maintenance Therapy provides an effective treatment option for people with long-term opioid dependence,” Dr. Balbir Singh stated. “The comprehensive approach would improve recovery outcomes and help patients successfully reintegrate with their families and society.”
To minimize risk and maintain adherence, patients attend specialized outpatient centers daily to receive single oral doses directly under clinical monitoring. The clinics pair medication delivery with psychological counseling, psychiatric evaluations, relapse prevention protocols, and structured family support.
