Awareness / screening camp held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 10 2024:
A one-day awareness cum screening camp on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, TB & Syphilis was jointly organised by The Overcomers and the Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) today at New Dawn Rehabilitation Centre, Lilong Chajing.
Speaking on the occasion, Wahengbam Gojen, joint secretary of The Overcomers, stated that habitual drug abusers do not get tested for diseases like HIV, Viral Hepatitis, TB and Syphilis either due to lack of money or lack of time stemming from their addiction.
In other cases, many of them receive treatment for a short while and then quit completely.
The benefits of getting tested for such diseases at rehabilitation centres is the doorstep delivery of results and the facilities for proper, timely and effective treatment for those that need it, he added.
The Overcomers joint secretary confessed that he had also received treatment for Hepatitis C and antiretroviral therapy (ART) while staying at a rehabilitation centre.
"Today, I'm living a healthy and energetic life", he shared.
Altogether 28 clients enrolled in the free screening camp where three were found reactive for Viral Hepatitis-C and one was found reactive for Viral Hepatitis- B .
Their samples were referred to Krishna Lab located at Nagamapal for further confirmatory test and treatment.
A team of YRG Care also took part in this camp and provided assistance during the screening process.
While extending appreciation to Manipur State AIDS Control Society for their support, The Overcomers has requested for further expansion of mass testing programs in the future.