'Collaborative efforts necessary between NGOs, Government, NVCHP & public to eliminate HCV by 2020'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 20 2019:
At a time when the awareness level on viral hepatitis in Manipur is still low despite the State having a large number of suspected viral Hepatitis C (HCV) infected population, TREAT Asia/amfAR (Foundation for AIDS Research) - an NGO which advocates improvement of HCV treatment and expanded access to treatment in the International level, is now giving special attention towards enhancing awareness for viral Hepatitis and its treatment in the State.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, TREAT Asia's programme manager for community and policy, Giten Khwairakpam, underlined the utmost need for initially raising awareness among the general population and high risks groups (HRGs) for effective implementation of viral Hepatitis control and treatment programme.
He pointed out that lack of awareness among the masses is a major cause for the presence of a huge barrier in identifying viral Hepatitis infected persons in the society.
Globally, 71 million people are living with HCV out of which only 13% know their status.
In India, there are approximately 8 million people living with HCV, although such a number is not present among the general population of the State.
"Unless people do not have adequate knowledge about viral Hepatitis, they won't care much about testing/screening for HCV and knowing their status for further diagnosis and treatment.
Furthermore, perception on the disease will remain negative among the masses which in turn will increase discrimination against HCV infected people in the society, thus, discouraging the people who suspect themselves of HCV infection and who already know their HCV status, to openly come out and seek treatment", he added.
Reminding that the Government of India, through the National Health Mission, launched the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) in the State from July 28, 2018, Giten went on to maintain that two model treatment centres have already been opened at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) from July 28 this year with plans to expand in all the districts of the State.
"Under this programme, people living with HCV (PLHCV) can now avail services including diagnosis and treatment for HCV free of cost.
A person living with HCV can be cured fully within 12 to 24 weeks, depending on the severity of the disease.
The program and the services are opportunities for the people in the State while NGOs, local clubs, civil society and philanthropy groups should come forward to increase awareness and get tested or treated, if needed", he added.
He also claimed that the NVHCP and the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) consider similar population as high risk groups, including people who inject drugs (PWID) .
Meanwhile, CoNE president Nalinikanta Rajkumar pointed out that the prevalence of HCV antibody among PWTD in the State was found to be 43% in total with Ukhrul having the highest at 60% followed by Churachandpur at 48% and Tamenglong the lowest at 12.5%, in a study jointly conducted by CoNE, Dr Romeo Karam of RIMS and Dr Dhabali Thangjam of Babina Diagnostics.
Noting that HRGs are priority population under NVHCP, he stated that this population (HRGs) is easier to reach when it comes to offering test and treatment where needed, if there is a collaborative effort of local NGOs working with drug related issues and viral hepatitis control programme.
Thus HRGs provide the opportunity for NVHCP to fully materialize, scale up and enable linkages.
"The high prevalence of HCV among high risk groups is a concern.
Currently, an opportunity is available in the State to test and treat HCV free of cost.
The diagnosis is simple and treatment process is short with high cure rate and negligible to nil side effects.
Collaborative efforts of NGOs with the Government, the NVCHP and support from the public will enable elimination of HCV by 2020", Nalinikanta concluded.
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