Guest guest Posted July 29, 2010 Report Share Posted July 29, 2010 Dying of Curable Disease- Hepatitis C (HCV) and ignorance from the society. Yesterday 28th July was “WORLD HEPATITIS DAY†and there was no single news or article on such an important issue faced by 200 million people worldwide. In accord with the 63rd World Health Assembly Resolution on viral hepatitis earmarking July 28 as World Hepatitis Day, Organizations working on HIV and AIDS issues across Asia have expressed serious concerns about HCV related deaths amongst People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and people who use drugs (PUD). Awareness about HCV including prevention, diagnosis and treatment is alarmingly low among PLHIV and PUD as well as health professionals treating HIV. Few governments adequately recognize or address hepatitis C in their HIV or public health programs contributing to these low levels of HCV education and awareness. Although hepatitis C is a curable disease, the medications are prohibitively expensive and out of the reach of the majority of those infected resulting in poorer quality of life and in many cases, death from complications of liver disease, particularly during HIV treatment – all avoidable through HCV treatment and appropriate management of HCV HIV co infection. The Patents being held by two pharmaceutical companies severely limit access to treatment for those who most need it. Loon Gangte from Delhi network of Positive People says Before the year 2000 the situation for AIDS treatment was same as now of HCV treatment- high cost, few people on treatment; but history tells us that we can bring down the price and saves lives ITPC- India calls on policy makers, governments and the donor community to recognize the urgency of the issue. It is however clear that if HCV is left unattended and issues around prevention, testing, affordability and accessibility of treatment are not addressed, the global and national investment on HIV programs will not yield the desired results and outcomes for those living with HIV and HCV co-infection. In fact, not addressing HCV will result in poor health of people living with HCV and a greater burden to health systems. ITPC- India has requested NACO to include Hep –C in the coming “National HIV sentinel surveillance and HIV estimation in India by NACO. So far UNAIDS has shown solidarity and promised support on the above issue to ITPC- India, we therefore request all to join hands on this serious issue. For more information please contact Mr. Loon Gangte at loon_gangte@... or Manoj Pardeshi at manojpardesi@... -- In Solidarity Manoj Pardeshi Board Member, NMP+ Coordinator International Treatment Preparedness Coalition-India (ITPC-India), 401 Ganga Prestige Arcade, Laxmi Road, 612 - A, Nana Peth, Opp Ghode Peer Bus stop Pune, Maharashtra , India, Pin 411 002 Phone - +91 20 2633 6083 or 84 or 87 Cell - + 91 9923 797 326 www.nmpplus.net www.itpcglobal.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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