Hep B treatment centres opened at JNIMS, RIMS
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, July 28 2021:
Chief Minister N Biren Singh has on Wednesday launched a model Hepatitis B treatment centre each at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) and Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) from the Chief Minister's Secretariat.
The programme was organized by State Health Society, National Health Mission in line with the World Hepatitis Day 2021 observance under the theme "Hepatitis Can't Wait" .
On the occasion, N Biren Singh stated that treatment of hepatitis B and its medicines would be made available free of cost at the treatment centres launched today.
The Chief Minister further said that World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28 every year, the birth anniversary of Nobel-prize winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg who developed a vaccine for Hepatitis B virus.
Stating that viral hepatitis, being one of the leading causes of death in the world, is recognized as a public health problem across the globe, he informed that the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) was launched in 2018 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.
Stressing on the status of NVHCP in the State, he informed that 29,414 people had been screened for Hepatitis B and 35,036 for Hepatitis C so far.
Of the total number, 1,519 were found positive and 1,225 are undergoing treatment.
861 had undergone complete treatment, he added.
During the programme, N Biren Singh also distributed 10 portable X-ray machines and 20 multipara monitors to the District Hospitals of Thoubal, Kakching, Bishnupur, Tengnoupal, Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Jiribam.
Agriculture Minister Oinam Lukhoi, Chairman, MANIDCO Dr Radheshyam Yumnam, Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) V Vumlunmang, Director, Health Services Dr K Rajo, Director, JNIMS Prof Laishram Deben, Director, RIMS Prof A Santa and other officials also attended the programme.