ABSTRACT
Opioid use disorders are one of the most serious global health problems. According to the latest national survey, current use of any opioid was 2.1% and an estimated 8.5 Lakh people who inject drugs (PWID) are in India. Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) is the most effective evidence-based strategy for management of opioid use disorders. In India, OAT is provided in government hospitals and through community-based OAT clinics. The covid-19 pandemic and nation-wide lockdown have adversely impacted OAT services delivery in the country. The National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) runs a community drug treatment clinic in an urban impoverished area of East Delhi and provides low-threshold, free-of-cost OAT services for patients residing in the clinic’s vicinity. The clinic responded to the COVID-19 pandemic challenge and continued OAT throughout the pandemic by making substantial changes in its operations. This symposium shares the experience of NDDTC in running community-based OAT services using Clinical Workflow Automation based digital platform, teleconsultations, and various strategies adapted to deliver uninterrupted services during this unprecedented time. The feasibility, perceived satisfaction and retention rates of the patients receiving the tele medication assisted treatment offered is assessed among 100 patients will also be discussed. The various operational challenges faced and lessons learned during delivery of OAT services would also be discussed.