'Hep-C affects 70-80 per cent of IDUs'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 31 2014 :
Around 70-80 per cent of the Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) are affected by Hepatitis C in Manipur, said MNP+ president Deepak.
While speaking at an awareness programme on Hepatitis C held at MDU today, Deepak said that the alarming rate came to light during an independent research conducted by MNP+ .
Deepak, who was once affected by both HIV and Hep C, opined that it is not right to remain silent by the Government at such a scenario.
He urged the Government to conduct an extensive research in this regard and do the needful at the earliest.
The workshop was organised by Hepatitis Forum of Manipur.
MNP+ Consultant Dr Brainy, Social Awareness Service Organisation (SASO) general secretary A Arjun and HepFom president RK Tiken also spoke at the awareness programme as resource persons.
Dr Brainy said that people are less aware about Hepatitis C in Manipur.
Although, the disease mainly affects people living with HIV, it can also attack normal persons as well.
Saying that Hep C transmits from one person to another through similar routes with HIV, Dr Brainy said that treatment of the disease is too expensive though 80 per cent successful.
He also advised not to consume anything which may affect liver.
In his speech, A Arjun stressed on the need to work out a plan to check transmission and treatment of Hepatitis C like HIV/AIDS at the earliest.
He said that though the Government is trying to save the lives of HIV/AIDS affected persons with the adoption of a policy, Hep C is taking many lives on the other hand.