The Integrated STI, HIV, TB and Hepatitis (ISHTH) campaign was launched at District Jail in Mon town
Dimapur — The deputy commissioner of Mon, Ajit Kumar Verma, launched the Integrated STI, HIV, TB and Hepatitis (ISHTH) campaign at District Jail in Mon town on Wednesday.
Speaking at the launch event, Verma informed that the government has initiated ISHTH campaign out of concern for prisoners in jail.
He added that the district administration, doctors and medical staff would carry out various activities in order to improve their health and make them understand a better lifestyle during the campaign.
He, however, reminded that the entire exercise of the campaign would be rendered futile unless one is determined to improve oneself.
He, therefore, requested all the participants to be positive and share their problems with the health personnel and avail the services, an update from the office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Mon, stated.
Delivering the keynote address, the CMO of Mon, Dr. Vezokholu Theyo, informed that the aim of the campaign was to eliminate HIV in India by 2023. She added that the sustainable development goal was to end HIV/AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.
She stated that the authorities would try to identify the intensity of the epidemic and work out intervention strategies to ensure that no one is left out during the campaign.
Mentioning that the Medical department alone cannot make the programme a success, she expressed confidence that the campaign would be successful with the support from the district administration, Social Welfare and DAPCU team.
She further stated that prisoners would be given free health check-ups, free medicines and awareness sessions on HIV/STI, TB, Hepatitis and mental health during the campaign.
The programme was chaired by Longyim Tzudir, DPO, DAPCU, Mon, while the vote of thanks was delivered by H Bangwao K, superintendent of district jail, Mon.
It was followed with an awareness session on HIV/STI led by Dr. Imlienla, medical officer at District Hospital, Mon; while a talk on tuberculosis was delivered by Dr. Tinenlo James Katie, DTO & DAPCU, Mon; and on hepatitis by Dr. AP Lemwang, NVHCP nodal officer of treatment centre at DH Mon. A talk on mental health was delivered by Linokali Sumi, clinical psychologist, DMHP, Mon.
Later, health check-ups and voluntary screening on STI, HIV, TB and Hepatitis were conducted for all the prisoners.
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