The Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) and MSD Pharmaceuticals Private Limited is providing free diagnosis and subsidy treatment of Hepatitis C (HCV) is well appreciated and need to acknowledge by one and all.
The high cost of Pegylated interferon, people who have HCV and co-infection (HIV and HCV) are not able to afford treatment. Consequently, people are dying from complications related to a curable disease (HCV) rather than HIV, which is currently an incurable disease. Therefore, the joint initiative of Naga Hospital Authority Kohima and MSD Pharmaceuticals Private Limited highly appreciated as with this noble joint venture providing free diagnosis (HCV antibody, genotyping and viral load test) and a subsidy on Pegylated Interferon (all strength: 50 mcg, 80 mcg, 100 mcg and 120 mcg with same price has brought a great relief to people living with hepatitis C. However the stock out of Hepatitis treatment drugs (Pegylated Interferon (alpha 2a and 2b) in Naga Hospital Authority Kohima pharmacy is a great concern. The MSD Pharmaceuticals Private Limited and Naga Hospital Authority Kohima’s should work out a strategy for un-interruption supply of life saving drugs, as treatment success entirely depends on treatment adherence.
The graveness of Hepatitis C situation in Nagaland is well documented by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Govt. of India, through the Integrated Bio Behavioral Assessment (IBBA) study. The study indicates that among injecting drug users from two districts Phek and Wokha showed prevalence rates of 8.7 and 20.8 % respectively. Unfortunately, in spite of having such data for more than a decade now, nothing substantial has been done as yet to provide treatment or improve services relating to HCV.
Therefore, I request Nagaland Govt. to initiate programs for Prevention, care and treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV), it’s high time that our state govt. take legislative, administrative, budgetary, judicial, promotional & other measures for realization of the right to health as per constitution of India article 21. I reiterate and request the MSD Pharmaceuticals Private Limited and Naga Hospital Authority Kohima’s to provide un-interruption supply of life saving drugs, as treatment success entirely depends on treatment adherence.
Abou Mere
Adviser
Nagaland User’s Network
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