As many as 31,162 patients are receiving methadone treatments nationwide, up 6,621 patients from the end of 2014 and reaching 38 percent of the target, according to the Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control under the Ministry of Health (MoH).
To date, 46 provinces and cities have implemented methadone treatments in 170 clinics .
However, the methadone treatment programme in several localities is facing difficulties including personnel issues, unfavourable administrative formalities, a shortage of human resources and a lack of funding.
To deal with the obstacles, the MoH has mobilised resources for infrastructure, equipment, personnel and expenditures to expand methadone treatment availability.
Since 2013, the ministry has purchased methadone drugs produced domestically at a lower price than imported treatments.
The methadone treatment programme was initially piloted in Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City in 2008 and then expanded to a national scale.
After a 12-month treatment course, the percentage of patients at a high risk of depression drops to 15 percent from 80 percent. Many gain weight and see their physical and mental health stabilise. Meanwhile, the crime rate amongst drug users sinks to 1.3 percent from 40.8 percent, according to the Ministry of Health.-VNA
To date, 46 provinces and cities have implemented methadone treatments in 170 clinics .
However, the methadone treatment programme in several localities is facing difficulties including personnel issues, unfavourable administrative formalities, a shortage of human resources and a lack of funding.
To deal with the obstacles, the MoH has mobilised resources for infrastructure, equipment, personnel and expenditures to expand methadone treatment availability.
Since 2013, the ministry has purchased methadone drugs produced domestically at a lower price than imported treatments.
The methadone treatment programme was initially piloted in Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City in 2008 and then expanded to a national scale.
After a 12-month treatment course, the percentage of patients at a high risk of depression drops to 15 percent from 80 percent. Many gain weight and see their physical and mental health stabilise. Meanwhile, the crime rate amongst drug users sinks to 1.3 percent from 40.8 percent, according to the Ministry of Health.-VNA
