Go for free Hepatitis tests: Minister Alo Libang to masses

A CORRESPONDENT

NAHARLAGUN: Arunachal Pradesh Health Minister Alo Libang has urged the public to come forward for the hepatitis tests and also informed that the vaccine for the COVID-19 will be delivered to the State within January.

He made this request for hepatatis tests after launching the 'National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) at the model treatment centre of Tomo Riba Institute of Health & Medical Science (TRIHMS) near here on Wednesday.

Speaking to the reporters, Libang informed that the NVHCP has been launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. It is an integrated initiative for the prevention and control of viral Hepatitis across the country.

He further said, "The launch of NVHCP today in the State will help to achieve the aim of the Central government to eradicate viral hepatitis by the year 2030. However, the State government will make efforts to achieve the target before the deadline as Arunachal Pradesh is less populated in comparison to the other States.

State Surveillance Officer-ISDP Dr L. Jampa said that the programme could not be launched earlier due to the Coronavirus pandemic. But at the same time the Health department has been working on hepatitis despite the COVID situation last year.

"We have put around six patients under hepatitis-c treatment. The treatment is in process and within months, we will have the results," added Dr. Jampa.

He elaborated, "There are five hepatitis viruses; A, B, C, D and E. He said the virus A and E are water borne. Whereas, the virus B, C and D are blood borne, just like the HIV and the transmission is also relatively similar to it.

"The Health department has also held capacity building programmes for the doctors and members of the other technical teams. The microbiology, lab technicians and the data operators have been properly trained to get forward with the NVHCP.

He also informed that the entire cost of drugs, testing and treatment under NVHCP will be free. No one is immune from the virus, thus there is no age barrier for being infected.

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