Arunachal Pradesh health minister Alo Libang inaugurated the state’s second Model Treatment Centre (MTC) under National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) at the Bakin Pertin General Hospital in Pasighat on Saturday.

The NVHCP was launched by the Union health ministry in July 2018 with the goal of ending viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 in the country, Libang said in his inaugural address.

“Health is a priority sector for the present state government that ensures implementation of all the flagship programs of GoI in the state in letter and spirit,” he said while asserting that the newly opened Model Treatment Centre would provide diagnostic facility and free treatment to hepatitis patients.

To achieve this objective, he appealed to all the doctors and health workers to work collectively and wholeheartedly.

Libang also appealed to the people to take full benefit of the initiative.

Health Services director Dr M Lego expressed hope that the launch of NVHCP would be beneficial for the eastern parts of the state for screening, diagnosis, and management of hepatitis patients.

State nodal officer for NVHCP, Dr L Jampa briefed the gathering on NVHCP through a power-point presentation.

T&RC joint director Dr Dukhum Raina, East Siang district medical officer Dr Kaling Dai, medical superintendent Dr Y R Darang, doctors, nurses and health workers of the BPGH took part in the inauguration.

Damien Lepcha is Northeast Now Correspondent in Arunachal Pradesh. He can be reached at: [email protected]