‘Target 2030 set to eradicate Hepatitis’

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 28: Medicines to prevent and cure Hepatitis B which sometimes proves fatal are now available and a target has been set to eradicate Hepatitis from India by 2030.
This was stated by Health Services Director Dr Chambo Gonmei at a State level World Hepatitis Day observation held today at Hotel Imphal here under the aegis of NHM State Health Society, National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme and the Directorate  of Health Services.
The World Hepatitis Day 2025 observed under the theme “Let’s Break It Down” also featured a rally which was flagged off by Chambo Gonmei.
Speaking at the function, Chambo Gonmei said that Hepatitis can kill a person.
It is imperative to let the people be aware of how Hepatitis is transmitted, how it can be prevented and how it can be controlled, he said.
There are five modes of Hepatitis transmission. Although the modes of transmission are different, Hepatitis primarily infects the liver. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are more deadly, the Health Director said.
Nonetheless, Hepatitis can be cured with proper treatment. Hepatitis is treated free of cost at RIMS, JNIMS and district hospitals, he said.
Appealing to all the stakeholders to focus on ensuring that Manipur meets the target of eradicating Hepatitis from the country by 2030, Dr Chambo Gonmei said that health workers must play a big role in eradicating Hepatitis from the State.    
NHM Manipur State Mission Director M Dinesh Singh appealed to all people to take preventive measures before being infected. Even if one is infected by Hepatitis, one can be cured if treated in time, he said.
National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, NHM State Nodal Officer Dr RK Roji said that it is essential for pregnant women to get tested for Hepatitis B as it is easily transmitted from mothers to babies.
Instead of stigmatising or discriminating against persons infected by Hepatitis, they should be treated with respect and care, she said.
Generally Hepatitis B is transmitted among injecting drug users, through sexual intercourse and from mothers to babies.
Hepatitis B mostly infects drug users but it can be cured with timely treatment.
If any one has started taking Hepatitis C medicine, it should be taken for the whole life. Nonetheless,  Hepatitis C can be cured within 3-4 months if treated properly, Dr Roji said.
At present, around 254 million people are living with chronic Hepatitis B while another 50 million are living with Hepatitis C across the world.
Hepatitis C has been killing 3500 people everyday across the world.
In India, around 40 million people are living with chronic Hepatitis B while 6 to 12 million people are  living with Hepatitis C.
In the case of Manipur, the number of people infected by Hepatitis C is more than those infected by Hepatitis B. This is because of the presence of a large number of injecting drug users in Manipur, she said.
Family Welfare Director Dr N Hemantakumar, Health and Family Welfare Joint Secretary Shamin Ahmed Shah who is also the Project Director of MACS, RIMS Director Prof G Sunil Kumar and JNIMS Director Prof Longjam Usharani were also present at the function.
Appreciation certificates were also presented to the model treatment centres of RIMS and JNIMS for their role in viral Hepatitis diagnosis.
Appreciation award was also given to MACS for Hepatitis B screening of pregnant women and counselling; best performing district award for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C treatment was given to Ukhrul; Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C screening and State best performing district award to Thoubal; best performing award for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C healthcare work vaccination to Imphal West and best performing district for National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme NIS portal entry to Churachandpur.