Kohima, July 28 (EMN): Dimapur district reportedly has 9.1% prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) as per the study conducted by Centre for AIDS Research, Johns Hopkins University and YRG Care, Chennai. Another source made available by MSD Pharma Company and NHAK Project tested 728 individuals with past history of IDUs, tattooing, blood transmission, undergone surgery, kidney dialysis etc while 50 individuals were found to be HCV reactive totalling to 6.87%.
This was informed during the observation of World Hepatitis Day on the theme ‘Eliminate Hepatitis’ at the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Kohima, on July 28. The programme was organised by the department in collaboration with NHM, NSACS, NKAK, Bethel Medical Centre and Nagaland Users’ Network (NUN).
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is referred to as a ‘viral time bomb’ and a major threat to public health, which causes extreme economic and social burden as it is highly infectious and transmitted easily.
Although HCV is a preventable, treatable and curable, the death toll is higher than that from HIV, tuberculosis or malaria. It was learnt that more 1.5 million people die every year because of this dangerous disease and 1.34 million have died of Hepatitis in 2015 globally.
Speaking on the perspective on Hepatitis, Director of Kripa Foundation, Abou Mere, who is engaged with Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs), said though not much independent study are available in the context of Nagaland, Phek and Wokha districts showed prevalence rates of 8.7% and 20.8% respectively among the injecting drug users according a scientific study data of the Integrated Bio Behavioural Assessment (IBBA).
He also informed that the 7 years random rapid screening report of NHAK showed the presence of the virus among the general population was 1.8%, signifying public health concern and not just that of IDUs.
Unfortunately, Mere lamented that despite having such data, nothing substantial has been done by state government to provide prevention and treatment programme or improve services relating to HCV.
“While the government is committed to ending HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, there is not much effort made in combating HCV and the epidemic continues to spread,” Mere said.
Calling the attention of the State government, Mere stressed on the need to acknowledge the importance of dealing HCV with urgency, establish strategies and action plans to prevent further transmission and treatment of those who are living with HCV with the new Direct Acting Antiretroviral (DAAs). He also urged the government to ensure increase prevention, diagnostic and treatment programme for Hepatitis B and C keeping in mind that health is a State subject.
“No one should die with a treatable/curable disease or gets infection, which is preventable,” he maintained.
Project Director NSACS, Dr. Ngangshimeren, in his keynote address, said the day is being observed globally to provide an opportunity to all stakeholders to focus together on this issue, raise awareness and encourage people to act proactively for prevention, early diagnostic and treatment.
Jr Specialist of NHAK, Dr. K Vanlalruati Nyuthe, through a power presentation, explained in detail on the basics of Hepatitis, while physician of Bethel Medical Centre, Dr. Kejavisa Savino explained on the Hepatitis C treatment protocol.
Pointing out some logistic issues in the context of Nagaland, Dr. Savino said treatment for Hepatitis being expensive most patients do not come for follow-up while the government is yet to sponsor the patients. Noting that there are only few physicians experts on Hepatitis, he said NGOs and the department can help the patients through a collaborative effort.
Though the world is working towards elimination of the disease, Dr. Savino observed that our situation is far behind as lots of ground works need to be done before elimination of the virus in the State.
Representative of Nagaland Users’ Network, Renbothung, shared his treatment experience on Hepatitis. The programme was chaired by Mission Director, NHM, Dr. Limaakum Jamir.
World Hepatitis Day is observed every year in honour of the Nobel Laureate, Baruch Samuel Blumberg, on his birth anniversary, who discovered the Hepatitis B virus.
