Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Haryana plan to eradicate disease of Hepatitis C

CHANDIGARH, Sept 12-Haryana Health Department, in collaboration with PGIMS,Rohtak, has prepared an Action Plan having a multi-pronged strategy to completely eradicate the disease of Hepatitis C from the State.
            While stating this today, Health Minister, Rao Narender Singh said that about Rs six crore has been approved for effective implementation of the scheme.
            The Minister said that this Action Plan has been formulated in view of the  cases of Hepatitis C detected in Ratia in Fatehabad district of Haryana. Under the Action Plan, a house to house survey was conducted in Ratia block  by the State Health Department and PGIMS,Rohtak and 7533 samples were collected and tested. Out of these samples, 1630 patients were found positive with Hepatitis C. These included 938 males and 692 females. He said that a maximum of 572 cases have been found in the age group of 41 to 60 years and a minimum of only nine cases below 10 years of age.
            Hepatitis C being a viral infection disease,  is caused by Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and spreads through body fluids. Its main route of infection can be an injection, blood transfusion and may spread through unprotected sexual contact. It leads to inflammation of liver and has been in acute as well as chronic form. Hepatitis C can be diagnosed by Rapid Card Test, PCR  and Elisa antibody tests.Those who get infection of Hepatitis C, generally develop a long term infection and usually there are no symptoms. Its acute form is completely curable but chronic form requires medical care throughout life for a comfortable living.
            He said that the strategy for treatment of such patients would be based on Genotyping of virus alongwith Viral Load of each patient in young age group, who would be given interferon. The duration Chronicity and stage of the disease will decide further nature of therapy. The cases which have developed complications of Hepatitis C would need regular follow up and repeated admissions.
            The equipment and material required to implement the strategy included Polymerised Chain Reaction (PCR) Machine, upgradation of Lab at Community Health Centre, Ratia and procurement of interferon. The PCR machine would be installed at PGIMS, Rohtak to test Genotype and estimation of Viral Load. A dedicated specialist M.D. Medicine would be posted at Community Health Centre, Ratia. An Intensive Education and Communication Campaign would be launched to make people aware of the facilities provided by the Government. HIV test of all cases would be conducted in addition to their counseling.

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