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Health workers of Dimapur district seen here at the World Hepatitis Day programme that was conducted on July 29 in the chief medical officer’s office in Dimapur.[/caption]
Dimapur, July 29 (EMN): Health authorities of Dimapur district observed World Hepatitis Day on July 29 in the chief medical officer’s office in Dimapur.
The event was conducted with the theme “invest in eliminating hepatitis,” a press release from the organisers on Monday stated.
The programme was to spread awareness about viral Hepatitis and to reinforce positive attitude, beliefs, and practice and to address stigma and discrimination associated with viral hepatitis, the organisers stated.
A resource person at the event, Dr. Molu, no surname given in the press release, talked to the participants about viral hepatitis, prevention, vaccination, risk factor, treatment and medical management.
Molu said viral hepatitis B and C are major health challenges and their routes of transmission are similar to HIV virus.
‘However, they are easily preventable. Hepatitis B and C are chronic infections that may not show symptoms for a long period, sometimes years or decades. Timely testing and treatment can save lives,’ he said.
Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E are acute hepatitis and can be easily acquired as they are transmitted through “feaco-oral route,” the press release stated. Unhygienic food vendors and contaminated food should be avoided, he said. Safe drinking water and hygienic and ‘sanitary toilets’ should also be maintained, the gathering was told.
‘There is no cure for Hepatitis B. However, medication are available to stop the progression of the virus, he said. With the launch of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme in Nagaland, he said, medications will be made available to the public through the programme.
Dr. K Vikato Kinimi, chief medical officer also addressed the event. He was stated to have reiterated that prevention is the best cure.
‘As health workers, it is our duty to first get the awareness ourselves and then spread the message to our families and our communities,’ he said.
