Yunnan offers partial reimbursement to patients at methadone rehab clinics

Participants in a new rural cooperative medical program in Yunnan province can receive partial reimbursement of their costs for methadone, used in treating drug dependence, as part of efforts to boost public health and social security.

The initiative, considered a breakthrough in the southwest province, which has a high incidence of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS, has been launched in some counties in five prefectures and cities, said Zhang Bo, director of the social service department of the Yunnan Institute for Drug Abuse.

Methadone is a synthetic opioid that is used medically as an analgesic and an anti-addictive agent for patients with opioid dependence.

There are 157 methadone clinics run by health authorities in Yunnan, which has 160,000 registered drug users, official statistics show.

"We plan to further expand the program to more regions in the province and to urban residents by integrating it under the medical insurance policies for urban residents and employees as well," Zhang said.

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