Hep-C alarm sounded at Ukhrul
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 06 2013: Ignorance of Hep-C among the people of Ukhrul district in general and the Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in particular has put the situation under a very alarming condition with 19 IDUs out of 22 tested reported positive of Hep-C.A positive rate of over 80% was detected during a screening done in Ukhrul in May/June 2013.It is estimated that there are at present 2500 IDUs in Ukhrul district and the majority of them are unaware of what Hepatitis is all about.

Interacting with Hueiyen Lanpao in this regard, Yuingam kapai, District Coordinator of Deocesan Social Service Society (DSSS), Ukhrul, an NGO focusing on HIV/AIDS and Drugs, stated that the people of Ukhrul, more particularly the IDUs lack knowledge of Hep-C, the 'Silent Killer'.

As such, none of the IDUs ever get themselves tested for possible Hep-C infection.

It was only by the month of April this year that the issue of Hep-C was highlighted by Dr H Diamond, Nodal Officer, ART Centre, District Hospital, Ukhrul.

Since then, screening for Hepatitis was conducted in different parts of Ukhrul from April till July this year and during the screening process it was found that the disease has spread from the IDUs to the general population, he said, adding that even at this point of time when the situation has become really alarming, there is not a single centre which provides testing facilities for Hep-C, except for the one being done by DSSS.

"We need more sensitization programmes in connection with Hep-C in Ukhrul", he pointed out.

"It is indeed a blessing that we are now able to get ourselves tested for Hep-C virus, but the problem is that, after being detected, there is no facilities provided for treatment by State Government", said an IDU, who has been infected by Hep-C. "We don't know where to go for treatment, so we have to remain ill without being treated and suffer till we die", he added.

Another IDU told Hueiyen Lanpao that although he has been detected Hep-C positive, he does not know where to go for treatment.

"I want to live and help my wife and kids to survive", he said.

Up-till today, no IDUs in Ukhrul who have been detected Hep-C positive have been treated of the disease due to various reasons ranging from lack of treatment facilities to high cost in treatment.

"I will sell my property and get treatment, let there be a treatment centre in Ukhrul", stated another Hep-C positive IDU.

Raihao Horam, Project manager (TI), Participatory Action for Sustainable Development Organisation, informed Hueiyen Lanpao that apart from HIV & AIDS, Hep-C is becoming a serious issue.

This issue needs to be tackled at the earliest or else people, not only the IDUS, but also the general public, will ultimately die of the dreaded disease.

"The situation is really alarming today and so not focusing on Hep-C by the State Government unlike in the case of HIV & AIDS is very unfortunate", Raihao Horam said.

Leisan, Chief Functionary, CARE, Ukhrul, also stated that the situation has become so alarming that after 2/3 years from now, the scenario of Hep-C in the State will be unpredictable.

He pointed out the need to include the component of Hep-C in the HIV & AIDS programme taken up by the State Government and stated that the urgency of the matter should be recognized and discussed at the State level.

Interacting with Hueiyen Lanpao, Dr H Diamond, explained that the symptoms of Hep-C in an individual show only after the virus has dwelled in the human body for 25-30 years.

This is in the case of mono Hep-C infection.

However, in the case of Hep-C co-infection, that is, Hep-C co-infected with HIV & AIDS, the symptoms begin to show after 10-15 years.

"What we should understand here is that the transmission rate of Hep-C from one individual to another is 50 times faster than that of HIV & AIDS and that of Hep-B is 100 times than that of HIV & AIDS", Dr H Diamond informed.

He went on to say that the awareness level of Hep-C in Ukhrul is very low.

If this situation continues, it will spread far and wide and become an uncontrollable issue.

As such, awareness among the masses is the only means to stop from predicament.

It has become a burning issue in India as well as in Manipur.

There are many subtypes of hepatitis C called genotypes.

The most common genotypes in the Manipur are genotype 3 (70%) followed by genotypes 1 and 2 (30%).Genotype information is important because it can help predict HCV medical treatment response, he added.

He further stated that the most common transmission routes are sharing infected used needles and drug preparation tools, and receiving blood or blood products prior to 1999.Sexual transmission is uncommon between stable monogamous sexual partners.

Mother to child transmission occurs less than 5% of the time.

Less common but possible transmission routes include tattooing and piercing.

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