A study on the Hepatitis was revealed during the World Hepatitis Day at Kohima, which shows a high prevalence rate of Hepatitis C, which was calculated at 8.7 per cent against HIV prevalence rate of 1 per cent, in 2009. These statistics were revealed during the observation of World Hepatitis Day at Red Cross Building yesterday, which showed the prevalence of HIV as 1.8 per cent and Hepatitis C as 16.7 per cent in Wokha during 2006. Wherein the prevalence rate of Hepatitis shot up to 20.8 per cent during 2009 while HIV prevalence remained the same.
The same study conducted in Phek showed the prevalent rate of HIV as 1.1 per cent and Hepatitis C as 5.4 per cent during 2006. In 2009, the HIV prevalence decreased to 1 per cent while Hepatitis C prevalence increased to 8.7 per cent. Addressing the gathering, Commissioner and Secretary for Health and Family Welfare Sentiyanger asserted that hepatitis is a matter of great concern and observing that the disease can be cured but the diagnose and treatment is prohibiting due to the cost factor. He expressed hope that in a few years' time, if not sooner, the Government of India will roll out a program for hepatitis along the lines of HIV.
Through this initiative, he expressed hope that it would create the much needed awareness in the rural areas.
He said the challenge for health workers is big and urged them to work together, and also to come forward with suggestions and with their inputs, through which they would be able to create better healthcare in the state. Dr C Wathsutho Nyuthe, Medical Specialist NHAK gave a presentation on the scenario of hepatitis and treatment issues in Nagaland with more concentration on the disease process and treatment available.
He highlighted the causes of Hepatitis which include Viral H, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic Steato Hepatitis (NASH), drug induced Hepatitis, auto-immune Hepatitis and Metabolic wherein mode of transmissions are fecal-oral, percutaneous, sexual, and pre-natal respectively.
He also informed that the prevalence rate of hepatitis in the Naga Hospital Kohima in the category of HBV is 2.1 per cent while HCV is 1.8 per cent. He further deliberated on the treatment procedures and the high cost factor.
Strongly pointing out that the prevalent rate of HCV and HBV in Nagaland is no less than the rest of the world, although no proper study has been done so far., He stressed that awareness, screening of risk groups and education are the need of the hour. With the cost factor posing as threat even to the available treatment, he maintained that 'prevention and not cure is the best treatment.'
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