HepCon conducts treatment literacy workshop on Hepatitis C

Kohima, May 29 (MExN): With an objective to create more awareness on treatment aspect with regard to the new treatment drugs for Hepatitis C, Hepatitis Coalition of Nagaland (HepCoN) with technical support from NUN conducted workshop at the office of Rural Area Foundation and Community Awareness Development, Kohima on May 24.  

HepCoN Secretary, Ketho Angami in a press note informed that participants of the workshop included PUDs and NGO staff. They were sensitised on various issues regarding Hepatitis C virus (HCV) such as its effects on the liver, treatment cost, and clinical aspects.  

Sharing the objectives of the workshop, resource person Ketho emphasised that community needs to take ownership of the HCV issue since it is preventable and curable. Maintaining that the NGOs and Govt. departments have a role to play in addressing the issue but waiting for their response may happen very late or not at all, he said the need of the hour is for civil societies or individual member of a community to take responsibility and contribute towards the cause.  

Renbo, another resource person, shared information on HCV and its route of transmission, how it is not transmitted and how one can prevent oneself from HCV. During presentation, he informed that HCV is a Viral Hepatitis (liver inflammation) and is spread through blood to blood contact most prominently and through vaginal secretion and semen during sex. The HCV is much smaller, stronger and stubborn compared to the HIV virus and therefore is 10 times more contagious than HIV, but it can also be prevented with a little care and self awareness, he said.

Renbo also spoke on the nature of HCV testing which starts initially with the antibody test followed by series of other diagnostic test and monitoring test during treatment. The participants were informed on the new treatment drugs, namely Sofosbuvir in combination with Ledipasvir or Daclatasvir depending on the Genotype. Some research studies show treatment response rate as high as 99% with lesser side effects and slightly cheaper in price as compared to the previous standard of care with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin, Renbo said.  

During the discussion hour, it was pointed out that issues pertaining to lack of data, service of testing and treatment and high cost of treatment continue to be a huge concern.