Many OST centres defunct, CoNE appeals for Govt's intervention
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 23 2018: Insufficient staff and the failure to provide proper infrastructure of OST (Opioid Substitution Therapy) centre have resulted in the closing down of many such centres in different parts ofthe State and the OST centre in Saikul PHC has been temporarily shut as none of the required staff are present at the PHC.

An OST centre is run by a staff of Medical Officer, nurse, Counsellor, data manager among others but the absence of the required staff has led to most of the centres in the State remaining defunct.

Speaking to media persons at a press meet held at Community Network for Empowerment's (CoNE) office at palace Compound today, its president RK Nalinikanta said that in view of the rise of IDUs (Injecting Drug Users) in the State and recognising IDU (Injecting Drug Use) as an important mode of transmission of HIV, National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) instituted the OST under the National AIDS Control Programme Phase III (NACP III).

OST has been recognised worldwide as an effective treatment for opioid dependence and harm reduction strategy, Nalinikanta added.

There are 24 OST centres in the State, out of which seven are run by NGOs and 17 by Government District Hospital and presently, the 24 centres cover 3120 IDUs against the targeted 3600 (under OST programme of NACO).

Unfortunately, owing to the absence of the required staff, most of the centres are not functioning properly and some are lying defunct, which in turn has failed to serve its true purpose inthe State.

On the other hand, the OST centre at Saikul PHC has been temporarily shut due to the failure of the authority concerned to appoint/deput necessary staff at the centre while another centre at Sekmai has been closed down permanently due to the inability of the authority to maintain it.

Over 500 drug users were enrolled at the OST in Saikul with 150 availing the services provided by the centre but the closure of the centre has forced some of the enrolled members to fall prey to drug abuse again.

Such drawbacks have led the services and initiatives of NACO (launched by sponsoring huge funds) becoming meaningless and has failed to enable the drug users to avail proper benefit and services.

RK Nalinikanta maintained that the authorities concerned have been repeatedly urged to depute the required number of staff and provide proper infrastructure for the centres to ensure smooth operation.

Informing that there are 18,000 IDUs in Manipur as per the latest report ohtained from Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) after validation, RK Nalinikanta said that at least 20 percent of the IDUs should be covered through OST programme as per the guidelines of NACO.

An IDU spends at least Rs 500 for drug and as per calculation, 18,000 IDUs spend a sum of Rs 90 lakh per day, Nalinikanta added.

The amount is spent on drugs which is a huge loss for the State's economy.

Nalinikanta further conveyed that it will be possible for the drug users to return to the mainstream and improve the condition of the State if the Govt intervenes into the present irregularities at the OST centres and take up remedial solutions at the earliest.

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