Chandigarh, July 21: Punjab health authorities have rolled out Methadone Maintenance Therapy to provide specialized outpatient care for individuals navigating long-term opioid dependence. The new framework strengthens the state’s rehabilitation infrastructure by offering a daily, medically supervised alternative alongside conventional abstinence programs and standard buprenorphine treatments. Specialized centers are actively serving patients in Faridkot, Ludhiana, Patiala, Gurdaspur, Mohali, and Jalandhar, with plans underway to establish six more clinics in upcoming months.
Administered as a long-acting oral medication, methadone stabilizes patients for roughly 24 hours per dose, managing cravings while enabling individuals to actively participate in work and family life. Controlled daily administration at clinical facilities significantly reduces the potential for medicine diversion or improper use compared to take-home prescriptions. Over time, healthcare professionals evaluate recovery progress to taper dosages according to individual clinical assessments.
Describing the health strategy behind the expansion, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh maintained that treatment access remains a central focus of the Yudh Nashean Virudh initiative.
“The expansion of methadone facilities places a strong emphasis on rehabilitation, particularly for people with opioid dependence who are at a high risk of relapse,” Dr. Balbir Singh declared.
Alongside regular medication administration, each dedicated facility delivers structured follow-up assessments, mental health consultations, and family guidance to promote sustained recovery across local communities.
