World Hepatitis Day Campaign Kicks off

IMPHAL, July 26:  On 28 July 2012 people around the world will come together to mark World Hepatitis Day with the theme of this year "It's closer than you think". World Hepatitis Day confronts the worldwide gap between the promise and the reality of hepatitis control. The main priority is the recognition that, worldwide, about 500 million people (one in 12 individuals) is living with viral hepatitis, of which 1 million are dying every year.
Despite its staggering toll on health, hepatitis remains a group of diseases that are largely unknown, undiagnosed and untreated. Control of viral hepatitis receives only a fraction of the attention and resources that are dedicated to other major public health threats with similar or lesser morbidity and mortality. Hence the immediate action is necessary to raise awareness, build collaborations to implement interventions that are appropriate for epidemiological patterns, and motivate policy makers to support better systems of prevention, care and treatment of viral hepatitis. The level of suffering from viral hepatitis is unacceptable. July 28 represents a call to action that can catalyse commitment state-wide.
Public health leaders, policy makers, non-governmental organisations, and others must join together to confront and combat this silent epidemic. Though relevant and scientific data of hepatitis is unavailable in the state but data from independent studies that has been carried out by researchers and medical professionals shows an extensively alarming prevalence of HCV in the state particularly amongst the People who injects drugs. Some of the studies indicated prevalence rates of 92%1,90.4%2,92% in Imphal and 98% in Churachandpur and yet, there are no responses from either the Union Government of India or the State Government of Manipur to respond to the HCV epidemic.
Recognizing its serious of hepatitis in the state Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE), a registered state level network of Community Based Organisation of People who use Drugs and All Manipur Anti-Drug Association (AMADA), a CSO in collaboration with MSD, Fulford (India) Limited, USA join hands together to advocate for prevention and treatment of hepatitis in the state with series of activities. The campaign is focus to provide comprehensive information to the public for prevention and as well as lobbying for the rights of hepatitis patients for treatment.
An interaction program on hepatitis ahead of observance will be aired in All India Radio on 27th July at 7pm. The speakers will comprise of Doctor, health department and people living with HCV. On 28th July a formal launch of the campaign will be organised at the Mayai Loishang of AMADA with the Director, Directorate of Health Services, Govt. of Manipur. Balloons for a cause will be released to commemorate the event and to show to the whole community that we are with the world in marking World Hepatitis Day.
This will be followed by a panel discussion on hepatitis with the experts, health department and people living with HCV that will be live telecast through ISTV at the studio of AMADA.
In the next day free screening of hepatitis B and C will be conducted at the premises of CoNE office, Palace Compound at 10 am.
On the same day an interaction program between doctors and hepatitis patients will be conducted.
http://www.ifp.co.in/imphal-free-press-full-story.php?newsid=8095&catid=1