Rupees 321.72 lakh earmarked to eradicate viral hepatitis in State: Health Minister
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 28 2018: A total of Rs 321.72 lakh have been earmarked by the Union Government for the current financial year under the "Integrated Initiative for Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis" which is to be rolled out for a period of three years, informed Health and Family Welfare Minister L Jayantakumar Singh.

The programme was launched today at New Delhi by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the World Hepatitis Day observance organized by Committee on Observation of World Hepatitis Day 2018 at Amity Hall, Adimjati Shikshya Abhiyan complex, Chingmeirong today.

The function was held under the theme "Eliminate Hepatitis" and was supported by Coalition PLUS.

L Jayantakumar further informed that though the State has now funds to test and treat viral hepatitis, the most important thing to remember at this point of time is that the Government alone cannot perform the task of eradicating viral hepatitis.

"A collective effort is necessary.

The effort should come from all sides including all stakeholders concerned.

We need to unite", he added.

He further announced that by August 15, around 2000/3000 people will be treated through YRG Care, an NGO based in Chennai.

"If all goes well, at least something can be done in the field of viral hepatitis and the WHO goal of elimination by 2030 can be achieved to some extent" .

On the other hand, Dr Th Dhabali, Managing Director of BABINA Diagnostics said that the main objective of observing the World Hepatitis Day is to provide awareness, preventive measures and diagnostic and treatment opportunities to the people.

He also pointed out that the age long endeavour of NGOs like CoNE and others for providing treatment, care and support to people living with viral hepatitis, has now been achieved with the Health Minister announcing free treatment and diagnostic facilities for viral hepatitis.

"It is indeed a big achievement for CoNE and its associates", he added.

Ningombam Pramod Singh, project coordinator of CoNE, said that World Hepatitis Day is observed with the aim of bringing the world together under one single theme so as to raise awareness of viral hepatitis and the impact it has all over the world.

Though a State-wide data on hepatitis C infection is not available, data from independent studies carried out by researchers and healthcare professionals shows an extensively alarming prevalence of HCV in the State, particularly amongst People Who Inject Drugs (PWID).

Some studies indicate prevalence rates of up to 92 percent in Imphal and 98 percent in Churachandpur district.

A recent HCV serological survey conducted by CoNE in partnership with Directorate of Health Services across the nine districts covering 3276 population found that 52 percent of the said population tested positive for the antibody, Pramod said.

He further informed that CoNE has been able to provide free hepatitis-C treatment to altogether 51 patients along with 23 prison inmates.

The prison initiative was taken up jointly by CoNE, BABINA Diagnostics and Nirvana Foundation and it is the first time such an initiative has been done in the entire South East Asian countries.

A documentary film entitled "Hepatitis - An Insight" produced by CoNE in association with Manipur Liver Research Foundation and supported by Coalition PLUS was also released by the dignitaries along with screening of the film.

Free HCV testing was also done as part of the observation by BABINA Diagnostics wherein altogether 22 people volunteered for the testing.

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