Inview of extending the medical benefits to high-risk groups, the PunjabGovernment established the 59 Hepatitis treatment centres from 2017 to 2020 inState and it is matter of pride, on Punjab model GoI has developed NationalViral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) to treat such patients across thecountry.
TheHealth Minister Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu informed that Punjab was the first Stateto initiate free of cost treatment of Hepatitis C in country. Till date 1.83lakh persons have been screened for Hepatitis C in the State and 91,403patients have been initiated on free treatment of Hepatitis C. All 59 treatmentcenters are actively functional at 22 District Hospitals, 3 GMCs, 13 ARTcenters, 11 OST sites, 9 Central Prisons and 1 SDH.
Hesaid that 3 designated Model Treatment Centres (MTCs) namely Department ofHepatology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, Govt. Medical College Patiala and Faridkot havebeen doing capacity building of the Medical Specialists and doctors of theState in management of Hepatitis C. Treatment services are also being providedto the referred patients at these MTCs.
Appx74,000 patients have completed the treatment with the cure rate of 93% inPunjab and all the baseline tests, viral load test and treatment is beingprovided free of cost to all patients without any disparity, he added.
Underliningthe initiative taken by Captain led Punjab Government, Mr. Sidhu said thatPunjab became the first State in 2017 when screening and management ofHepatitis C was initiated among all HIV + patients at 13 ART centres and IVDUs(Intravenous Drug Users at OST centres under PSACS. He said that about 28000HIV+ persons have been screened for Hepatitis C and more than 2600 have beenput on free treatment.
Thisfree of cost tretament services had provided much relief to all patients astreatment and medicines of Hepatitis is expensive and difficult to bear itsexpenses, Mr. Sidhu said.
Highlightingthe action taken to secure the high-risk groups in Prisons, the Health Ministerstated that Govt. of Punjab also became the first State to start screening ofPrison inmates for Hepatitis C in collaboration with FIND (Foundation ofInnovative New Diagnostics) and CHAI (Clinton Health Access Initiative) underwhich 15,000 inmates of 9 central Prisons have been screened and appx 1300inmates have been provided free treatment of Hepatitis C till date.
Govt.of Punjab has further initiated the screening of other high risk groups asdecentralized model which includes pregnant females.