Free Hep-C treatment
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 28 2017: JNIMS Liver Clinic has offered free Hepatitis-C treatment for 200 people starting from next month .

Speaking at the World Hepatitis Day 2017 observed today JNIMS auditorium, JNIMS Asst Prof (Gastroenterology) Dr N Surajkumar said that out of 200 people that would be given Hepatitis C treatment free of cost, 100 patients should be belonging to economically weaker sections .

To start free treatment of Hepatitis C from August at JNIMS Liver Clinic which is opened every Tuesday, the requisite certificate would be obtained within 10 days .

All the expenses of Hepatitis-C treatment would be borne by JNIMS and Geliad Pharma of University of Maryland, USA.

Dr Surajkumar appealed to all the people suffering from Hepatitis-C who are facing financial difficulties to come to JNIMS and avail the facility of free treatment .

Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE) RK Nalinikanta said that altogether 1678 people suffering from Hepatitis C have been screened by CoNE since 2014 and 64 of them have been provided free treatment .

Hepatitis C can be treated if diagnosed in time.

It is suspected that around 7000 people have been infected by Hepatitis C in Manipur .

People living with HIV face greater risk of infection by Hepatitis C.Cases of Hepatitis C infection is higher at Churachandpur and Moreh, Nalinikanta said .

JNIMS Director Prof Th Bhimo highlighted the need to create extensive awareness about Hepatitis C .

World Hepatitis C was observed under the them 'Eliminate Hepatitis' .

JNIMS Director Prof Th Bhimo, JNIMS HoD (Medicine) Prof Ghanachandra and JNIMS Medical Superintendent Dr L Ranbir attended the function as chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively which was jointly organised by JNIMS, Manipur Liver Foundation and CoNE .

The Manipur Liver Research Foundation (MLRF) also observed the day under the theme "Eliminate Hepatitis" at IMA hall, Lamphelpat today .

Speaking at the observance function, MLRH secretary Dr Karam Romeo Singh said that the objective of MLRH is to prevent and control the spread of Hepatitis B and C .

He informed that about 80-90 percent of people affected by Hepatitis do not know that they are suffering from the disease .

As such, they are susceptible to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer if timely preventive medical measures are not taken up, he said .

Taking part in the function, Dr Th Shanti Devi, MRLF assistant secretary and Associate Professor at RIMS; MRLF treasurer Dr Kh Lokeshwar Singh and MRLF executive member Dr Robinson Ningsen spoke on various topics related to Hepatitis and need for getting medical care to prevent the disease .

As part of the observance function, a free Hepatitis B & C screening and vaccination camp attended by nursing students from different institutes was organised.

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