Ndera Neuropsychiatric Teaching Hospital has introduced medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders in a bid to respond to a growing trend of dependence on injection drugs. The Rwandan neuropsychiatric hospital says dependence on hard drugs, such as heroin, is a growing problem in the country. Medication-assisted treatment of opioid addiction involves the use of medicines and psychosocial support. The treatment, which has not been used in Rwanda, uses medicines such methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone. ALSO READ: Ministry of Health moves to tackle drug abuse among youth “Currently, Rwanda lacks medically assisted treatment options for opioids, leading to immense suffering for patients and their families,” the hospital said on Monday, June 3, in a statement announcing the new treatment in the country. Patients with financial means often seek treatment abroad, leaving the majority without access to essential care, the neuropsychiatric referral hospital, said adding that it was committed to addressing this critical gap. ALSO READ: Recovering from drug abuse is possible: stories from former addicts The new treatment, which will be offered at the Kicukiro-based Icyizere Psychotherapeutic Centre, a branch of the Ndera hospital, will use methadone initially, and buprenorphine and naltrexone as alternative treatments, coupled with psychosocial interventions, to provide comprehensive care for individuals suffering from opioid use disorder. A 2021 study by scientists led by Jean Olivier Twahirwa Rwema found that heroin was the primary drug of choice for 99 per cent of people using injection drugs in Rwanda, with cocaine and methamphetamine reported by 10 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively. ALSO READ: Opiate Crisis: Protecting Rwanda from a silent epidemic From 2020 to 2022, Ndera Neuropsychiatric Teaching Hospital recorded over 4,100 cases of substance use disorders, with 223 patients specifically dealing with opioid addiction. Huye Isange Rehabilitation Centre reported that 34 per cent of more than 1,700 patients received between 2015 and 2022 had opioid use disorder. Research indicates that combining medication with therapy can effectively treat substance use disorders and support long-term recovery, the hospital management said, adding that medication-assisted treatment had been shown to improve patient survival, increase retention in treatment, reduce criminal activities related to substance use, and enhance employment prospects. Statistics cited by the neuropsychiatric hospital show that up to 90% of patients who undergo medication-assisted treatment maintain sobriety for at least two years. The introduction of medication-assisted treatment of opioid addiction will be trialed in three phases over a period of three years. “This project will provide one year of methadone treatment to the patients enrolled in the pilot phase and research will be carried out to measure the outcomes of methadone maintenance then results will be considered to improve the clinical practice,” the hospital management said. The initial phase which will use methadone involves, support services, which will incorporate counselling, support groups, and other psychosocial interventions; and evaluation of effectiveness of methadone maintenance to provide an evidence-based treatment.
