Haryana Leads in Hepatitis-C Treatment

Chandigarh: Health Minister Anil Vij announced that Haryana has become the first state to treat Hepatitis-C patients of all categories through oral medicine.

Speaking at a training workshop organized by the department, the Minister stated that no patient in the state would suffer from Hepatitis-C disease.

He mentioned that for the first time, the state government has included oral medicine in government hospitals. This medicine would be provided free of cost to permanent residents of all categories at the district level.

Mr. Vij said Nodal Officers and Monitoring Officers have been deputed to ensure that Hepatitis-C patients would not suffer at any cost. He noted that this medicine and treatment costs about Rs 28,000 to 30,000 in the market, but the state government would provide this facility free of cost.

He explained that this disease mostly spreads through infection and that the blades used by barbers were also responsible for the same. Therefore, efforts would be made to inspire barbers to use a new blade for every customer.

On this occasion, the Minister launched the 'My State Health' mobile application to provide information to doctors about health services. He also released a book titled ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ containing detailed information about Hepatitis-C disease.

He stated that Haryana would be the first state where screening would be conducted on every person’s body, and 35 to 40 necessary tests would be conducted by visiting the houses of all residents. The full record of these tests would remain with the department.