SHILLONG, Sept 16: Opposition AITC legislator from Mawsynram Himalaya Shangpliang on Friday suggested the state government to include treatment of Hepatitis C or Hep C under the Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS)

Taking part in the short duration discussion on the health sector, Shangpliang informed that due to incidents of drug use among the youth, Hepatitis C is being reported all over the state at an alarming rate.

He however said that the treatment of this viral Hepatitis C is very expensive ranging between Rs 60, 000 to Rs 1 lakh.

The legislator also pointed out that the Punjab government has subsidized the cost of treatment for Hep C to Rs 7,200 and the Haryana government to Rs 5,200 for the 12 weeks course treatment of this particular disease.

“So most of the cases in the state come from poor families because most of the drug addicts normally come from middle class and poor families and this viral hepatitis C is mostly related to drug abuse. Therefore, I also understand that the government of India has launched the national viral hepatitis control programme on July 28, 2018 and surprisingly, the MHIS has not covered the viral disease,” Shangpliang said adding “Therefore, I request the government to include the hepatitis C in the MHIS.”

Meanwhile, Shangpliang also urged the government to consider upgrading Dangar PHC to a CHC since it is catering to more than 40 villages and to ensure better health care is provided to the people living in the borders.