Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh inaugurated a Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) Clinic at the Civil Hospital in Ludhiana on Friday, marking a significant step in the state's 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' (war against drugs) campaign. The clinic aims to provide comprehensive treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation for individuals suffering from opioid dependence.
Government's Commitment to Evidence-Based Treatment
Addressing the gathering, Dr Balbir Singh emphasized that addiction is a treatable medical condition and that every individual battling substance dependence deserves timely, compassionate, and evidence-based care. He stated that the launch of the MMT Clinic reflects the government's resolve to strengthen public healthcare services and ensure that no person suffering from opioid dependence is denied quality treatment due to financial or social barriers.
The Health Minister highlighted that MMT is a globally accepted and scientifically proven treatment for opioid dependence. Recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and implemented under the guidelines of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medicine administered under strict medical supervision. It effectively relieves withdrawal symptoms, reduces cravings for opioids, minimizes the risk of relapse, and enables patients to regain physical, psychological, and social stability.
Public Health Benefits of MMT
Dr Balbir Singh noted that MMT has demonstrated remarkable public health benefits worldwide. Besides improving treatment retention and promoting sustained recovery, it significantly reduces unsafe injecting practices, thereby preventing the transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B, and C among people who inject drugs. It also lowers the incidence of overdose deaths, criminal activities associated with substance abuse, and repeated hospital admissions, thereby reducing the socio-economic burden on families and society. The minister said expanding access to evidence-based treatment services is an integral part of Punjab's comprehensive strategy to eliminate drug abuse and safeguard the future of its youth.
Holistic Care at the New Clinic
The newly established clinic at the Civil Hospital has been designed to provide holistic and patient-centred care through a multidisciplinary approach. In addition to daily supervised Methadone therapy, patients will receive comprehensive medical evaluation, psychiatric consultation, psychological counselling, behavioural interventions, relapse prevention services, family counselling, regular follow-up, and social rehabilitation support. The integrated care model aims not only to treat opioid dependence but also to restore dignity, improve overall health, and facilitate long-term recovery and reintegration into society.
Expansion of Treatment Network
The Health Minister also virtually inaugurated five additional MMT Clinics at District Hospital, Jalandhar; District Hospital, Gurdaspur; and Government Medical Colleges in Patiala, Mohali, and Faridkot. With the launch of these new facilities, the Punjab Government has substantially expanded its network of specialized opioid substitution therapy centres, ensuring greater accessibility to scientific treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation services for individuals affected by opioid dependence across different regions of the state.
