ARK Foundation has appealed the newly launched Nagaland Health Project (NHP) under Directorate of Health & Family Welfare to initiate and explore possibilities on prevention and treatment for Hepatitis C in the state.
In a press note, president ARK Foundation, Ketho Angami, informed that in Nagaland Hepatitis C has emerged as a huge matter of concern as per some scientific research where districts like Phek and Wokha projected a worrisome prevalence rate of 8.7 and 20.8 % respectively, while some independent survey reports conducted among Injection drug users (IDUs) showed a much more higher prevalence rate.
Expressing concern over the matter, ARK Foundation noted the challenges ahead in terms of a state level data, saying no surveillance has been conducted across the country neither for the state per se which, it stated, deters program planning and opens very little space for program implementation.
Therefore, ARK Foundation has requested the NHP, with their technical expertise and existing human and financial resources, start formulating plans towards that end.
“Unless there is a start, new infection will happen rampantly and those already infected will continue to die” stated the press note.
It also highlighted the present scenario of the disease and its treatment in the state, suggesting measures to make the treatment accessible, cheaper and safer.
In this regard, ARK foundation has earnestly requested the Health Department/NHP to expedite these options and initiate Hepatitis C prevention and treatment program.