Government steps up efforts to decentralise methadone distribution

Government is stepping up efforts to modernise and strengthen harm-reduction strategies in the fight against drug addiction, with plans to set up a dedicated Methadone Distribution Facility in Port Louis. The new centre, conceived as a one-stop facility, aims to improve the efficiency and organisation of methadone distribution services.

The Minister of Housing and Lands, Mr Shakeel Ahmed Yousuf Abdul Razack Mohamed, announced the initiative following site visits conducted, today, at the Dr Mahmoodkhan Hyderkhan Mediclinic and at Route Nicolay in Port Louis. A plot of land near Route Nicolay has been identified for the project, which seeks to decentralise methadone distribution currently carried out at the mediclinic.

Also present during the site visits were the Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Anil Kumar Bachoo; the Minister of Industry, SME and Cooperatives, Mr Sayed Muhammad Aadil Ameer Meea; Member of Parliament, Mr Ehsan Juman; and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Drug Control (NADC), Dr Fayzal Sulliman, alongside other officials.

In a statement, Minister Mohamed acknowledged the concerns raised by residents regarding the current location and modalities of methadone distribution. He emphasised that the Ministry of Housing and Lands is working closely with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the NADC to address these issues while maintaining the effectiveness of harm-reduction services.

The Minister stated that the proposed facility at Route Nicolay forms part of a broader strategic approach that will be replicated in other regions of the country. The objective is to improve accessibility for beneficiaries while minimising disturbances to local residents, he stated.

For his part, Minister Bachoo indicated that the Ministry of Health and Wellness, in collaboration with the NADC, is implementing a plan to enhance methadone distribution as part of efforts to curb drug abuse. He emphasised that consultations have already been carried out with residents of the locality to ensure that the new facility reflects public health imperatives and community concerns.

Currently, some 8,400 individuals receive methadone treatment across 74 sites nationwide.

19 February 2026

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Topics: Health