Concerns of people co-infected with Hep-C

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Raising the concerns of people co-infected with Hep-C

It has been a widely accepted fact that the prevalence rate of Hep-C

virus among the PLHAs, in particular the IDUs is very high with the

people working in the field acknowledging this co-infection of HIV

and Hep-C as a problematic issue or rather it has been estimated by

individual analyst that this co-infection rate among the ILWHAs is

more than 90 percent. This data is yet to be back by a more credible

research assessment and as such there are no assessment in this

unexplored and yet a life threatening issue.

An interaction with people living with virus particularly the IDUs

will reveal that the majority of them are co-infected with HIV and

Hep-C virus and the sad thing is that most of them are ignorant about

this fact. Even if they are aware and educated about such grave and

alarming proportion, the lack of apathy on the part of the government

or the inability to access treatment on the individual part

compounded the problem.

In the global setting of incessant rise in the number of people

living with HIV despite the progress towards intervention,

prevention, care and treatment, etc. a new horizon is on the rise. If

it requires strength and mustering support to address the factors of

HIV epidemic such as prevention, access to treatment, gender

inequality, stigma and discrimination, we are being asked and

accountable into a new perspective -'What about Hep-C co infection

with HIV'?

HIV/AIDS has created a devastating human tragedy throughout the world

and especially in resource-poor countries like ours. Despite the

concerted efforts to curb the epidemic, the grounds covered in the

good work will be nullified if we continue to overlook the other face

of the epidemic- that of Hep-C as Hep-C continues its relentless

spread. We are yet to witness a comprehensive package that includes a

provision of adequate care for Hep-C co infection. The availability

of adequate care and treatment for Hep-C has been severely limited to

less developed countries like ours and as such the package of Hep-C

treatment needs to be integrated and intertwined with the treatment

package of HIV/AIDS.

New technologies will certainly enhanced Hep-C prevention, care and

treatment. But the knowledge to effectively fight this co-infection

already exists. What is lacking is the will, the commitment and the

resources to implement effective and adequate programmes.

It seems inconceivable that such co-infection could just quickly

reverse the gains in HIV treatment, but it is happening. We must

recognize that for most of the time the co-infection of Hep-C along

with the epidemic of HIV, was spreading like wildfire and we were in

a state of denial or rather ignorant about the fact.

We have been hard hit by the epidemics of HIV/AIDS and Hep-C. Today,

we demand to have a say. We demand that governments and citizens see

our humanity.

As people affected by drugs, our organization have an important role

in advocating for the rights of people co-infected with Hep-C. And as

we stand in solidarity with the communities hard hit by Hep-C co

infection, we demand that our government take action in our

countries. So that, the epidemic of Hep-C co infection is treated as

a public health issue first.

W.H.O. has supported the ART programme in the country under the '3 by

5' initiative by rolling out free ART through NACO. But Who is going

to support the Hep-C treatment programme?

It is time to break the silence, shedding all our inhibitions; we

must question, ask, seek and learn as much as we can about Hep-C and

how it can be mainstream into treatment facilities.

It is my firm belief that the authority concerned will be in a

position to give an affirmative reply. It is also very ironical to

learn that people are living with the HIV virus and dying of Hep-C.

It is high time the state government and the concerned authorities

spares some valuable time in addressing such life threatening issue.

Why do I raise this concern?

When people are dying of Hep-C, when all is not lost but a matter of

treatment affordability. I don't have the courage to stand up as a

mute spectator and on the other hand claimed that I am living a

healthy and positive life with the completion of my treatment. It

takes courage to stand up and speak. It also requires immense courage

and strength to sit down and move the authority raising our concerns

of people co-infected with Hep-C virus.

Even though our country has the resources in responding to emergency

outbreak of health epidemic as is the case in the recent outbreak of

avian flu in Manipur, we are yet to witness a national responses on

the same scale with regard to Hep-C Co-infection. Hopefully, we are

hoping that Hep-C prevention and care will find its way into the

national programme as is the case with many national programmes such

as for Chicken Guinea, Dengue Fever, Bird Flu, T.B. etc. Prevention

programme are being taken up when the disease spreads and becomes an

epidemic.

The need of the hour is to draw the attention of people who

matters or rather when this co-infection becomes a pandemic, Is the

people who matters in the Global scenario going to intervene?? The

provision of free or subsidized Hep-C medicines as well as treatment

is required at this crux of the time in our country especially in

Manipur, Northeast India, since people are dying of liver damage and

not with HIV/AIDS.

With this in mind, the issue will hopefully reflect some perspective

on the role of the political leaders and social activist that

includes AIDS activist, in responding in unison to this co-infection

issue. We can still take a step further. We all including the larger

community have a significant share and responsibility towards

fulfilling our common goal of providing treatment and halt & revert

this co-infection.

With regards

R.K. Tiken

Joint Secretary, SASO

Social Awareness Service Organisation

Uripok Sinam Leikai,Oppt Common School,Imphal - 795001

Ph.no.0385 2414011,03852411408

Fax.no.0385 2411409.

e-mail sasoimph@...gmail

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Subject: Re: Concerns of people co-infected with Hep-C

I agree with Tiken's view on Hep.C co infection among high risk

groups especially IDUs. I think there was no concrete study conducted

to assess the HIV and other blood borne disease prevalence among IDUs

in India.

majority IDUs are excluded from even sentinel surveys unless they sought

treatment in government STI clinics. Majority Government hospitals, even

Medical colleges do not have the facility

for Hep C testing.

It was proved by many RASs and NASs that HIV prevalence among IDUs are on the

rise in many Indian cities however I don't think any new projects/programs

initiated to address these problems. Although many IDUs badly need NSEP,

substitution etc.

Sadly there is no resources available/allotted for this.

IDU population existed in Goa even before 1980s and fortunately last

year Positive People a prominent NGO in Goa with the support of

Sharan started and intervention project among IDUs and that made a

remarkable change in the lives of IDUs in Goa.

I came to know that project facilitated hep C testing among them(a small

population) and found more than 70% are positive to Hep c. since this facility

is not available in government hospitals these poor people need to spend

Rs.250-300 to use this facility from private clinics.

I don't know Hepc transmit through sex or not but it is very common among IDUs

who share needles. IDU population is scattered in different urban pockets in

many parts of India, still I think, as per NACO policy minimum number of IDU to

start a TI projctis 300.

It is the time to revise policies and sharpen our strategies.

Joy Cyriac

e-mail: <joycyriac2000@...>