Vietnam’s second co-pay methadone clinic where treatment costs are shared by drug users and government funding opened on October 30 in the northern province of Lao Cai.

This clinic, supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is modeled on the success of the first one that was put into use two years ago in Hai Phong city.

The co-pay model creates an opportunity for opioid drug users to obtain quality treatment services at minimum cost. Under this co-pay system, the cost for methadone treatment will be shared by the Government and drug users.

USAID is providing funding for the methadone medication and technical assistance to the clinic.

According to Vice Chairwoman of Lao Cai Provincial People’s Committee Ha Thi Nga, the establishment of this socialisation methadone treatment clinic helps improve the quality of life, lower the risk of HIV transmission and support drug users’ integration into community.

The new co-pay methadone maintenance treatment clinic in Lao Cai can provide treatment for 250 patients per year.-VNA