Hepatitis C awareness program held in Mon

The Hepatitis Coalition of Nagaland (HepCoN), with an aim to address the issue of Hepatitis C in the state, has conducted an awareness programme in Mon on February 13 at the Leprosy Hall of Mon District Hospital.
The programme was jointly organized by Mon Users Network (MUN), NUN and HepCoN with the participation of 79 people from various sections including NGOs, Mon Town Students’ Union, Konyak Students’ Union, staff of the District Hospital, OST, ICTC, DAPCU and Drug Users.
Resource persons of the programme were Abou Mere and Ketho Angami who spoke on various issues about HCV, its effects on the liver, diagnostics and treatment aspects etc.  With the completion of Mon district awareness programme, HepCoN has completed its state wide campaign of creating grass root awareness on viral Hepatitis among risk populations. HepCoN, since its formation on August 9, 2013, has conducted similar programme across 10 districts of Nagaland recently, which are mostly spearheaded by NUN. HepCoN works towards creating awareness, easy accessibility and affordable treatment of viral Hepatitis. HepCoN and NUN, during its visit to Mon for Hepatitis awareness programme, made a visit to the OST centre located at the District Hospital, Mon on February 13 and interacted with the staff, doctor and the clients of the centre. NUN has lauded the drug using community of Mon for availing the OST program in high number. NUN also appreciated the initiative of NSACS/ NACO and the OST staff for undertaking this harm reduction programme which had benefited the drug users.
Later in the day, NUN team had a consultation meeting with the OST clients facilitated by Mon Users Network. During the meeting, discussion on OST enrolment, take away dose, vocational trainings for drug users etc were shared with MUN and NUN members by the OST clients.
NUN also held another meeting with its Board and Advisory members at the ADC Guest House, which was chaired by Rokozo, president NUN. The meeting highlights included review of the last meeting, review and finalisation of NUN constitution. The NUN team has lauded MUN for hosting the meeting in Mon.