Phek, June 7 (MExN): Taking into consideration the existing data for Phek district, Ketho, President, ARK Foundation stated that “the infection rate of hepatitis C is significantly high in the district and therefore, it needs urgent intervention.”
Speaking at a meeting on viral hepatitis C conducted at the office of the Lightway Society at Pfutsero, Phek on June 7, the ARK Foundation President briefed the participants about the national challenge and the state challenge such as not having any data leading to complete absence of any programme initiative.
The meeting attended by chief functionary, project staff and representative from Espoir Society was held with the main objective to empower them with knowledge on the developments happening around hepatitis C in the state, particularly in the context of treatment.
He said, “Presumably the infection will be spreading and those already infected may not be aware of their status due to lack of testing and diagnostic facilities.” He also mentioned about the process of how hepatitis C is tested and diagnosed.
On the present treatment aspect, he talked about the availability of better, cheaper, friendly drugs with more responsive rate of cure as compared to the earlier standard of treatment with weekly injectable. Ketho also facilitated a discussion session with them on how to make some plans for addressing the burden of Hepatitis C. To this point, it was agreed that the NGO will conduct a consultation meeting with the drug users and basing on their feedback will further discuss with ARK Foundation, and take it forward.
ARK Foundation in a press release stated that through this meeting, the expected outcome was that NGOs and other stakeholders will start taking ownership of the disease, while acknowledging the emerging need to tackle this public health threat.
The meeting ended with ARK Foundation president, urging the NGO and Espoir Society to include the topic of Hepatitis C in their day to day activities and to refer their peers and clients for testing, diagnose and treatment to which ARK will provide its technical support in facilitating the process.
