First OST centre inaugurated
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 14 2015 :
The first ever Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) centre in Government health facility in Imphal West was inaugurated at Community Health Centre (CHC), Wangoi today.
Speaking at the occasion, Joint Director, TI, MACS, Abhiram Mongjam said that Opioid Substitution Therapy or OST helps in achieving a comfortable level whereby injecting drug users would be able to reduce the amount of drug intake.
Padmashree Dr Bimolakumari, CMO, Imphal West, Abhiram Mongjam and Dr S Gopal, district AIDS Control Officer, Imphal West were the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
The Joint Director, while appealing the IDU community of the locality to come forward and get the services said that two more centres would be inaugurated at Sekmai CHC and Urban Health Centre, Singjamei next week.
Dr Bimolakumari, during her speech, highlighted the importance of having OST in Government health care facilities.
She further appealed authorities concerned to support the initiative taken up by Manipur SACS for the inclusion of such programme in Government health set-up.
The centre was set up under the auspices of Manipur State AIDS Control Society.
On its opening day, seven IDUs were enrolled at the OST and many others registered.
The ceremony was also attended by officials of North East Regional Office of NACO, MACS, CHC Wangoi and representatives of TI NGOs.
Voluntary Service Centre, Mayang Imphal, ESDO Samurou and Care Foundation Imphal East also provided technical support to the centre for its management.