5,045 patients in Nghe An have been treated with Methadone.

This information was presented at the conference summarizing and evaluating the results of the implementation of opioid addiction treatment using substitute medications in the province from 2021 to 2025, organized by the Nghe An Department of Health on the afternoon of August 13th.

Báo Nghệ An•13/08/2025

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Delegates attending the conference. Photo: Thanh Chung

Attending the conference were representatives from the leadership of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Nghe An province, the Provincial Police, the Border Guard Command - Provincial Military Command, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Health of Nghe An.

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Delegates attending the conference. Photo: Thanh Chung

According to information from the Nghe An Department of Health : It is estimated that the province has more than 10,000 drug addicts. New drug addicts in the province are tending to be younger...

As of June 30, 2025, Nghe An province had detected 11,090 people infected with HIV; of which 4,698 people infected with HIV/AIDS had died; the number of people living with HIV who are under management is 6,392.

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Dr. Nguyen Van Thuong, Deputy Director of the Nghe An Department of Health, delivered the opening remarks at the conference. Photo: Thanh Chung

In order to effectively prevent and combat HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, on November 29, 2021, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued Plan No. 714/KH-UBND on opioid substitution therapy for the period 2021-2025.

In implementing the plan, Party committees, government agencies, and departments, as well as political and social organizations in the province, have focused on leading, directing, and implementing various solutions and coordinating efforts in the treatment of opioid addiction using substitute medications.

Medical staff at the Methadone treatment facility of the Provincial Center for Disease Control inspect and monitor patients' adherence to treatment at home. (Photo: Thanh Chung)

Healthcare workers at Methadone treatment centers and the Provincial Center for Disease Control inspect and monitor patients' adherence to treatment at home. Photo: Thanh Chung

Accordingly, as of June 30, 2025, the province had established 11 Methadone treatment facilities and 17 Methadone dispensing points. A cumulative total of 5,351 patients have registered, with 5,045 receiving Methadone treatment. Currently, these facilities are treating 992 patients.

The treatment of opioid addiction with substitution therapy during the 2021-2025 period has yielded many positive results: 100% of patients gained weight within the first three months of treatment. The frequency of opioid use decreased significantly after three weeks of treatment.

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The Department of Health awarded commendations to 5 collectives for their outstanding achievements in the treatment of opioid addiction using substitute medications during the 2021-2025 period. Photo: Thanh Chung

After 36 months of treatment, the percentage of patients engaging in illegal activities decreased from 47.5% to just 4.1%; conflicts within families and among friends decreased from 44% to 3%; unemployment decreased from 30.4% to 6.9%; and the rate of injecting heroin use decreased from 94.4% at the start of treatment to 0%.

Building on the achievements, in the coming period, Nghe An will continue to maintain the operation of 11 treatment facilities and 17 drug dispensing centers; strengthen the role and effectiveness of leadership and guidance by Party committees and governments at all levels, and the coordination of departments, agencies, and socio-political organizations in implementing drug replacement therapy; strengthen the work of reviewing, detecting, and managing drug addicts in localities; and promote the role and responsibility of families to support patients in adhering to treatment procedures and providing psychological support for reintegration into the community.

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The Department of Health awarded 15 individuals for their outstanding achievements in the treatment of opioid addiction using substitute medications during the 2021-2025 period. Photo: Thanh Chung

At the conference, attendees listened to numerous presentations on effective methods for treating opioid addiction using substitution therapy...

On this occasion, the Nghe An Department of Health also awarded Certificates of Commendation to 5 collectives and 15 individuals for their outstanding achievements in the treatment of opioid addiction with substitute medications during the 2021-2025 period.

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/da-co-5-045-benh-nhan-o-nghe-an-duoc-dieu-tri-bang-thuoc-methadone-10304367.html