Call for addressing HCV issue on a war footing
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 28
Nagaland along with the rest of the world observed World Hepatitis Day 2016 with the theme “Elimination” on Thursday.
Jointly organized by HepCoN, NUN, Kripa Foundation, NNP+ and NSACS, the programme held in the state capital Kohima raised deep concern over the alarming spread of HCV in Nagaland and called for addressing the issue on a war footing.
NNagaDAO had on Wednesday revealed that Hepatitis C issue in Nagaland has become a serious threat while lamenting that not much has been done by the state government, civil organizations or the NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS and other health sectors- whereas the epidemic continues to spread rapidly and at an alarmingly rate.
High cases of HCV reported in Nagaland
Speaking at the programme, Ketho from Hepatitis Coalition of Nagaland (HepCoN) lamented that despite the high cases of HCV reported in Nagaland, yet there was “zero response” from the state government.
He said that there is no proper data source to project the real face of HCV burden and infection continue to rise. Ketho stated that many HCV related deaths have been reported in spite of treatment drugs being available. He also lamented that there is lack of testing and diagnosis facilities in the state.
Giving an impression of HepCoN, Ketho said it was formed in 2013 at Kohima to provide a platform to respond and address the issue of viral Hepatitis particularly Hepatitis C Virus in Nagaland.
HepCoN has so far taken up actitivies, which include awareness, advocacy with government, MNC and facilitating treatment and care.
HepCoN along with different community network, PNGOs had also conducted series of HCV awareness programme across all 11 districts of Nagaland. It also opened a facebook group.
Through such grassroots mobilization campaign, HepCoN has been able to bring out the agenda of HCV into the spotlight, Ketho claimed. Besides, HepCoN has also done free antibody testing at Kohima, Mokokhung, Tuensang, Kiphire and Zunheboto. It also built linkages for access to diagnosis and drugs at cheaper rate.
Mylan CSR project on HCV in Nagaland
Mhonthung Tungoe from Network of Naga People Living with HIV/AIDS (NNP+) said Mylan CSR project on HCV in Nagaland for a period of two years would continue till September 30, 2017. Key activities include; awareness programmes, counseling, 1st level HCV screening (Card Test), mobile HCV screening in remote areas, referral & linkages, IEC and advocacy.
Under this project, more than three hundred awareness programme have already been conducted and reaching out to 23, 260 individuals from January to June 2016.
Tungoe said that out of 1,316 HCV screening done (May-June 2016), 32 positive cases found. The HCV prevalence rate stands at 2.43 %, he added.
