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.
No comments:
Post a Comment