CM launches model Hepatitis B Treatment Centres
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, July 28 2021: Chief minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday launched Model Hepatitis B treatment centres at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) and Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in a function held at the Chief Minister' Secretariat here.

The programme was organised by State Health Society, National Health Mission to coincide with the observance of World Hepatitis Day 2021 under the theme 'Hepatitis Can't Wait' .

Speaking on the occasion, N Biren informed that treatment of Hepatitis B and its medicines would be made available free of cost at the Model Treatment Centres.

The opening of treatment centres would be helpful in controlling the infectious diseases in the state to a large extent, he assured.

The CM further said that World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28 every year to mark the birth anniversary of Nobel-prize winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg, who developed the vaccine for Hepatitis B virus, across the world to raise global awareness on the burden of Viral Hepatitis.

Pointing out that Viral Hepatitis is one of the leading causes of death in the world and is recognised as a public health problem worldwide, including India, he informed that National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) was launched in 2018 with a target to eliminate the infectious disease by 2030 .

In Manipur, all the districts have at least one functional Viral Hepatitis treatment centre under the programme, he added.

On the status of NVHCP in the statef, N Biren informed that 29,414 people had been screened for Hepatitis B and 35,036 for Hepatitis C so far.

Of the total screened, 1,519 were found positive and 1,225 are undergoing treatment while 861 had undergone complete treatment, ne stated.

During the programme, N Biren also distributed 10 portable X-Ray machines and 20 Multipara Monitors consisting of one portable X-ray machine and two Multipara Monitors each to the District Hospitals of Thoubal, Kakching, Bishnupur, Tengnoupal, Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Jiribam.

Agriculture minister Oi-nam Lukhoi, MANIDCO chairman Dr Radheshyam Yumnam, principal secretary (Health and Family Welfare) V Vumlunmang, Health Services director Dr K Rajo, JNIMS director Prof Laishram Deben, RIMS director Prof A Santa and other officials also attended the programme among others.

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