OST Camp organizers, doctors, nurses and participants during the 3-day OST camp held at CHC, Changtongya from February 13-15. (Photo Courtesy: A Puna Rato)
Mokokchung, February 16 (MExN): The first Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST) camp in Nagaland was held from February 13-15 in Community Health Centre, Changtongya.
The camp was jointly organized by Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), Project Sunrise Foundation and Grace Society Changtongya.
A press release received here, stated the centre started functioning in Nagaland from 2013 and at present, there are around 31 such centres across Nagaland giving various assistance and treatment to drug users. The OST in CHC was launched on October 28, 2013.
The resource persons at the event were Dr Temsuyanger Ao, ZLO, Nodal Officer, District Mental Health Programme (DMHP); Technical Expert OST, Dr. Sentikumla Longkumer, OST, Medical Officer District Hospital Longleng and Dr Imlinaro, Senior Medical Officer CHC.
Speaking with media person, Dr Temsuyanger said that the benefit of OST is that it supplies illicit drug users with a replacement drug, under criteria and administered in a supervised clinical setting. As a result, besides ultimately treating users, it also protects the users from HIV and Hepatitis, as well as save time and resources.
He also noted that such centre opens door for the users to be part of the community, weaning them away from their habits and become good citizens in the society.
Dr Temsuyanger also informed that this was the first time such OST camp had been organized in Nagaland. More than 150 individuals attended the three day camp.
