World Hepatitis Day Observed

 http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/headlines/item/3311-world-hepatitis-day-observed-statewide
http://www.ifp.co.in/imphal-free-press-full-story.php?newsid=8159&catid=1
The State government would discus matter related to providing Rs 1 Lakh each to all patients suffering from Hep-C and B, who are living below poverty line (BPL), Sh Surchandra, Director of Health Services, Government of Manipur has informed.
Sh Surchandra was speaking as Chief Guest on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day observance organized jointly by All Manipur Anti Drug Association (AMADA) and Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE) in collaboration with SDS Full ford (India) Ltd ; USA at the office of AMADA, Keishampat here today. The theme of this year observance is "Its closure than you think".

The Director further informed that a meeting with the specialists in the field of Hepatitis would be held at the Medical Directorate on August 3 to discuss the probabilities of providing Rs 1 Lakh to all the patients suffering from hepatitis C and B who are living below poverty line.

Financial support amounting to Rs 1 Lakh has already been started provided to BPL people suffering from Cancer, who are undergoing Kidney Transplantation and Neurological operations by the state government in its first phase. All government employees are also enjoying the benefit of late, he added.

He also stated that Hep-C and B, although seem to be diseases with little complications, however, are dreaded diseases. Once an individual is infected with these diseases, the lifespan of the individual is shortened. The vaccine for Hepatitis B has been invented but no vaccine for the treatment of Hepatitis-C has been developed till today. The government of India has taken up measures to eradicate Hep-B and accordingly vaccinations programmes for children free of cost has been taken up by the Central government, although the programme has not been taken up for adults.

In Assam and Nagaland, treatment of Hepatitis C has been done free of cost. The meeting to be conducted on August 3 would probably come up to a decision to provide free treatment in the state as well. The function was presided by Yumnam Sundari, President of AMADA. As a part of the observation a Panel Discussion on "Hepatitis" was also organized. Dr Th Joy, Addl Director, Public health, Directorate of Health Services, Government of Manipur; Dr Kh Lokeshore, Asst Prof medicine, JNIMS; S Amusana, Community representative- Living with Hep-C and Y Shashikumar, General Secretary, SASO were the panelists. Dr Ch Chandramani, former Director, Health Services, Government of Manipur was the moderator of the panel discussion.

The Recovery Alliance of MNP+ also observed World Hepatitis Day at the Secretariat Hall of Manipur Network of Positive People today. The function was graced by Dr Angomcha, Psychiatrist and RK Pururaj, President of Recovery Alliance of MNP+ as Chief Guest and President respectively. Y Shashikumar, General Secretary, SASO and Advocate I Vikramjit, who is also a public health activist, were Guests of Honour.

Speaking on the Dr Angomcha said that though Hepatitis is not his specialization, yet he has been working in the field of HIV and AIDS and drug use. He informed that 12 crores people are infected by Hepatitis C and 1/12 of the people infected by Hepatitis C are deadly. He also pointed out that though the observation is being held every year, there has been lack of effective follow up. So, there is the need to keep the momentum maintained till all important goal of accessing treatment is accessible.

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 

JNIMS clarifies on blood price

JNIMS clarifies on blood price

IMPHAL, Jul 22 : Reacting to the news item published in connection with the exchange of blood at Rs 1700 per unit at JNIMS, Director in-charge M Shyamo clarified that the price was in conformity with the order issued by the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC).
The SBTC was set up under the Manipur AIDS Control Society and its president is Health and Family Welfare Commissioner.
As per an order issued by the SBTC on October 10, 2008, the price of packed red cell or whole blood unit is Rs 350 for patients undergoing treatment in Govt hospitals and Rs 850 for patients undergoing treatment in private hospitals.
Respective prices for the two types of patients of fresh frozen plasma are Rs 200 and Rs 400, platelet concentrate Rs 200 and Rs 400, cryoprecipitate Rs 100 and Rs 200 and platelet rich plasma Rs 200 and Rs 400 per unit, said Shyamo.
20 per cent of the amount earned from selling blood units were deposited with SBTC.
Informing that blood bank of JNIMS was opened by NACO through MACS, the Director-in-charge said that salaries of the staff (of the blood bank) are being paid by MACS.
However, the order issued by the SBTC on October 10, 2008 did not mention anything about variation in the prices of blood units between those who come with donors and those who come to buy blood without any donor for exchange.
One member of the SBTC said that the blood bank of JNIMS is not an independent body.
The existing blood bank evolved from the blood bank of JN Hospital. After NACO issued licences to all the blood banks operating across the country, MACS has been providing necessary support to JNIMS blood bank.
After depositing 20 per cent of the User Money (money earned from selling blood units) with the SBTC, the blood bank is allowed to utilise the remaining 80 per cent for maintenance of blood bank and laboratory test for HIV, Hepatitis etc. If one takes into account the charges for blood test and blood bags, the User Money need to be revised, the SBTC member said.
On the other hand, one official of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi said that blood units are given free of cost to patients if they come with donors.
The same case is also true for poor patients who can afford neither the price of blood nor donor, the official added.
http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/sangai-express-news.php?newsid=17772 

A home dedicated to children with HIV/AIDS

By Ganmeilu Phaomei
IMPHAL, July 21: Established in the year 1999, Tabitha Children Home- a home for orphans living with HIV/AIDS sits cosily at Raphei Valley, Mantripukhri, Imphal.
Run by a Christian family originally hailing from Longpi (Nungbi) Ukhrul District Chingai Sub Division, the home was first established at Ukhrul Phungreitang and shifted to its present location the same year in 1999. 
During a candid conversation with this reporter, Thanshok Kamkra and Tammi Kamkra who runs the home said, “Tabitha Children Home is exclusively for orphans living with HIV/AIDS. 
Thanshok said, “The Name Tabitha is a name taken from the Bible verse of Acts”. 
At present the Kamkra family has 16 children out of which 12 are orphans living with HIV/AIDS, two of them their own and two other adopted by the family. All the children are aged between 5-18.
Speaking on the education of the children, Thanshok said most of the children are presently studying at Kids School, Dewlahland.
He continued two of the children had cleared their matriculation this year in the second division.
He told this reporter, “Two of the youngsters are really fond of music and dress designing” and expressed his believe that they would someday make the home proud.
The uniqueness that one gets to see in the orphanage is that children staying in the home are treated all the same. The children are not made to feel any difference in their upbringing. The whole family- as Thanshok and Tammi like to call the Home-eat together, play together and share everything.
About the health concerns of the children, he said they are served suitable diets according to their needs.
The Home takes extra care about their diets, he added.
The children are from Rongmei community, Meitei community, Kuki community, Kom community, Tangkhul community and Anal community.
The Home sometimes accommodates widows coming from different districts of the state and has their separate accommodations. They are allowed to stay at the Home as long as they want.
He continued, “The children’s conditions are monitored through regular health check-ups and CD4 count tests”. Among the 12 children, 6 of them are on ART”.
“At present the couple is helped by nine full time volunteer workers. The volunteers had readily accepted to work without any payments but in service to the Lord.”
A Widow living with HIV/AIDS, Naomi acts as the Nursing caretaker, while another young lady Pampam acts as the educational tutor of the children of the Home.
The Home also helps widows mostly from remote areas that could not afford themselves and need help. They are also provided with medical treatment, shelter, food and cloths.
However, all is not well in the Home, there are various challenges to be met on a daily basis. The vulnerability of children’s medical condition calls for a high level of preparedness as any moment could become an emergency.
They have a Bolero and a Van for emergency services.
With the objective of providing to the meagre earnings of the Home, they have also started a flower Nursery inside the campus. They also provide home delivery of the flowers. The proceeds coming in from the sale of the flowers are used in the daily expenditures of the Home.
The Home also provides some of the proceeds from the sale of the flowers to charitable activities of their Church.
However, the Home’s special focus is on nurturing the children’s spirituality, moral and social values.
Extra-curricular activities of the Home during holidays as amusement and entertainment for the children include site-seeing and other sporting activities, learning music, recreation of verses from the Bible, etc.
“The Home is their way of answering to everything that the Lord has provided”, he further said.
“With faith in the one who adopted us, we strive hard to fulfil a mission of loving and caring people”.
“The Home was built a decade ago and the Lord has done great things for the Home. Here is the gist of what we do”.
Thangshok continued “For most people, money comes first before their Ministry” and added, “ however, we at the Home believe that Ministry should come first and followed by money. People work for the money. We work for the Kingdom of God is our philosophy”.
Tabitha Home receives voluntary and monetary support from caring individuals from time to time but no regular funds as of yet. The Home’s income is currently generated through flower sales, piggery, catering services and social works such as household chores and wedding decorations.
The Home provides every kind of assistance from taking care of children and the home to raising funds to run it.
Meanwhile, he also added that the land where the Home stands now doesn’t belong to them, but to a philanthropist of Ukhrul district retd Additional Chief Engineer PHED M Siraphui  of Ngainga, Ukhrul district, who is letting them use the land without any rent. They have been staying there since the past thirteen years.
During the renovation of the building, state Chief Secretary DS Poonia had provided some financial help. While a grocery owner from the Imphal Bazar, Azit Bhakliwul has been helping them with rice, dal, oil and sugar every month.
And some big hearted shop owner of Thangal Bazar has also helped them with pencil, books, etc.
The Home has also expressed gratitude to several of its benefactors including child specialist, Dr Nabachandra, Dr Priyokumar (Medicine) and Babina (Diagnosis) and all the benefactors for their uncountable charity offered to them.
Thanshok Kamkra is a conference speaker working with MBC, RNBA and some other churches and also works as an HIV councellor after undergoing two years of training with the World Health Organization. His Wife Tammi Kamkra is a singer by profession.
She is a well-known performer in the All India Radio and DDK. Whatever penny she earns she uses for the maintenance of the Home. ]
http://www.ifp.co.in/imphal-free-press-full-story.php?newsid=7947&catid=1

Ephedrine tabs seized

IMPHAL, July 23: Commandos of Thoubal District Police conducted search operation at Pallel Bazar and arrested two drug smugglers, namely Md Sanayaima alias Atau, 25, son of (late) Md Asat Tulla of Lilong Haoreibi Mayai Leikai and Md Rajaouddin alias Ethem, 28, son of (late) Md Asat Tulla of Lilong Haoreibi Mayai Leikai along with one Maruti Van bearing registration number MN-01W 5188 at around 2 pm yesterday and recovered 2190 strips of pseudo-ephedrine tablets marked as “Omcet” Indkus An ISO 9001-2008 Company Mfd in India by Indkus Biotech India, Village Manja Rampur Jattan Maginand Kala, Amb District-Sirmpur- 173001 (HP) NRx Certirizine Hydrochloride & Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride”, stated a release of SP Thoubal.

http://www.ifp.co.in/imphal-free-press-full-story.php?newsid=8024&catid=2 
http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/sangai-express-news.php?newsid=17787