25k to 40k people in State are possibly affected by Hep C, reports State's Medical Directorate
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 25 2018: According to a report of State's Medical Directorate, it is believed that 25,000 to 40,000 people in the State may have been affected by Hepatitis C.A report based on scientific study of the RIMS Microbiology Department has also maintained that the prevalence rate of Hepatitis B among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) is 10.8 percent while that of Hepatitis C is 90.4 percent.

This was conveyed by the Dr RK Rosie while delivering key-note address at a one day State level consultative workshop on "National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP)" which was jointly organized by National Health Mission (NHM), Manipur and Directorate of Health & Family Welfare Services, Manipur at Classic Hotel, near North AOC, Imphal, today.

Reminding that the NVHCP was launched with the releasing of its National operational guidelines by Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare JP Nadda on July 28 this year at New Delhi, she stated that the main objective of the programme is to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030 and to reduce the morbidity and mortality owing to Viral Hepatitis in India.

Rosie further informed that the Central Government has given consent to make JNIMS as the Model Treatment Centre to roll out the 1 st phase of National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme in the State.

In addition to this, the authority concerned has proposed the Central Government to make RIMS and District Hospital, Churachandpur as the Model Treatment Centre and Treatment Centre respectively.

The testing and treatment centres will be availed at public health facilities, such as District Hospitals, CHCs and PHCs while the drug dispensation facilities will be availed even in Health and Wellness Centres, apart from former public health facilities she added.

Speaking as chief guest at the function, Health Minister L Jayantakumar underscored the importance of catering health service to the public in a suitable modus operandi based on the local context and extreme conditions in geographically isolated areas of hilly regions in the State.

He mooted for framing a suitable guidelines for successful implementation of NVHCP while assuring that he will extend possible aid when there is the need for approaching and convincing the Central Ministry for this purpose.

Mission Director, NHM, GoM N Bandana Devi, Health Services Director Dr K Rajo Singh and JNIMS Director Dr Th Bhimo Singh also attended the function as president and guests of honour respectively.

A technical session was also held in which Dr RK Rosie, Dr K Romeo, Dr RK Manojkumar, Dr Kh Sasheekumar Mangang and RK Nalinikanta spoken on various topics.

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