IMPHAL, July 28: As in other parts of the world, the World Hepatitis Day today on the theme ‘’This is Hepatitis, know it, confront it’’ was jointly organised by MNP+, Care Foundation and SASO under the aegis of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) and observed at Yaiskul Hiruhanba.
Speaking on the occasion, Deepak, president of MNP+ stated that in Manipur the death rate caused by Hepatitis is more than the death rate caused by AIDS informing that friends who on ART have dead because of Hepatitis. He also made the point that the number of widows in the State has been increased due to Hepatitis C.
He further said that as per a report, the rate of having Hepatitis has been increased manifold among injecting drug users than those who have Sexually Transmited Diseases (STD).
Abhiram Mongjam, Joint director, TI of MACS said though several organisations have got policy programmes for Hepatitis, they could not do much due to the lack of the government’s consent and assistance.
He went on to say that as a joint director of MACS, he would take up valuable initiatives and awareness for NGOs of the State to prevent Hepatitis.