Latest news with #HepatitisC
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
NAT should be mandatory at all blood banks: Experts
New Delhi: Diagnosed with thalassemia at the age of two, a 23-year-old woman depended on blood transfusions every three weeks to stay alive. But when she was hospitalised with dengue in Class VIII, doctors discovered something more alarming - she was diagnosed as HIV-positive. "I wasn't recovering. After several tests, they told me I was HIV-positive. I suspect it came from a transfusion. If the blood was properly tested, maybe this wouldn't have happened," she said. Now living with both thalassemia and HIV, she depends not only on regular transfusions, but also on antiretroviral treatment. The woman's testimony at the roundtable on "Ensuring Safe Blood for All: Strengthening Blood Safety Practices", organised by the Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group (TPAG) at India International Centre on Thursday, brought into sharp focus the urgent need to fix India's entire blood safety ecosystem. Experts at the event called for comprehensive reforms - from mandatory nucleic acid testing ( NAT ) at all blood banks to boosting voluntary blood donation and patient participation in policymaking. NAT, which detects HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C during the early infection "window period", is far more effective than standard tests, but is not yet mandatory across India. "Safe blood is not just about testing - it begins at the source," said Dr Sangeeta Pathak, secretary general of Indian Society of Blood Transfusion & Immunohematology (ISBTI) and head of Transfusion Medicine at Max Saket. "Voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation is key. Sri Lanka has achieved 100% voluntary donation. Why not India?" She called on both professionals and the public to take ownership. "We must talk about it, promote it, and strengthen the culture of safe, voluntary blood donation." Anubha Taneja Mukherjee, member secretary, TPAG, reminded participants that blood safety is a matter of human rights. "This isn't just a technical issue. It's about dignity, equity, and the right to safe, life-saving interventions." Public health advocate Prof Bejon Kumar Misra emphasised the need for transparency and accountability. "Safety is non-negotiable. People have a right to know what is being done - and what's not. Communication is critical. We need strategies that ensure no patient falls through the cracks." P C Sen, senior Supreme Court advocate, reiterated the state's legal obligation to ensure access to pathogen-free blood .
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Orissa HC seeks govt reply on delay in expanding NAT-PCR blood testing across state
CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has sought a detailed response from the state government after a contempt petition was filed by advocate Prabir Kumar Das over its alleged failure to implement nucleic acid testing polymerase chain reaction (NAT-PCR) blood testing facilities in all blood banks as promised. The division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice MS Raman on Thursday directed the commissioner-cum-secretary of the Health and Family Welfare department to file an affidavit within two weeks, outlining the steps taken to fulfil the commitment made in court in November 2023. The matter has been posted for further hearing on August 4. The directive comes in response to a contempt petition filed by Das on April 2, 2025. In his plea, Das contended that the state government had wilfully violated the high court's order dated November 30, 2023, which required the establishment of advanced NAT-PCR testing facilities in all 56 blood collection centres of the state by the end of March 2025. The court order had followed Das' earlier PIL that highlighted the risks associated with blood transfusions using traditional ELISA-based screening. He had argued that the NAT-PCR technology allows for early detection of infections such as HIV 1 and 2, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C, thus ensuring safer transfusions. In its affidavit filed in response to the PIL in November 2023, the Health department had stated that 47 per cent of the blood collected in Odisha was being tested using NAT-PCR technology at 11 centres. The government had assured the court that it would expand the facility to all 56 blood centres at an estimated cost of `200 crore by March 2025. However, Das, appearing in person, submitted that information obtained through RTI queries from the directorate of Blood Safety (March 3, 2025) and the Health department (March 17, 2025) confirmed that only the original 11 centres were equipped with NAT-PCR, and no progress had been made in the remaining 45 centres. Calling the inaction a 'deliberate and wilful violation' of the court's order, Das urged the bench to initiate proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act against the commissioner-cum-secretary. The court, while not initiating contempt proceedings, has directed the official to respond with a status update in two weeks.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Unsafe blood and unkept promises: Experts suggest mandatory NAT at all blood banks
New Delhi: Diagnosed with thalassemia at the age of two, a 23-year-old woman depended on blood transfusions every three weeks to stay alive. But when she was hospitalised with dengue in Class VIII, doctors discovered something more alarming — she was HIV-positive. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "I wasn't recovering. After several tests, they told me I was HIV-positive. I suspect it came from a transfusion. If the blood was properly tested, maybe this wouldn't have happened," she said. Now living with both thalassemia and HIV, she depends not only on regular transfusions, but also on antiretroviral treatment. The woman's testimony at the roundtable on "Ensuring Safe Blood for All: Strengthening Blood Safety Practices", organised by the Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group (TPAG) at India International Centre on Thursday, brought into sharp focus the urgent need to fix India's blood safety ecosystem. Experts at the event called for comprehensive reforms — from mandatory nucleic acid testing (NAT) at all blood banks to boosting voluntary blood donation and patient participation in policymaking. NAT, which detects HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C during the early infection "window period", is far more effective than standard tests, but is not yet mandatory across India. "Safe blood is not just about testing — it begins at the source," said Dr Sangeeta Pathak, secretary general of Indian Society of Blood Transfusion & Immunohematology (ISBTI) and head of Transfusion Medicine at Max Saket. "Voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation is key. Sri Lanka has achieved 100% voluntary donation. Why not India?" She called on both professionals and the public to take ownership. "We must talk about it, promote it, and strengthen the culture of safe, voluntary blood donation." Anubha Taneja Mukherjee, member secretary, TPAG, reminded participants that blood safety is a matter of human rights. "This isn't just a technical issue. It's about dignity, equity, and the right to safe, life-saving interventions." Public health advocate Prof Bejon Kumar Misra emphasised the need for transparency and accountability. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Safety is non-negotiable. People have a right to know what is being done — and what's not. Communication is critical. We need strategies that ensure no patient falls through the cracks." P C Sen, senior Supreme Court advocate, reiterated the state's legal obligation to ensure access to pathogen-free blood. "It's not just a public health concern. It's constitutional." BJP spokesperson Tuhin A Sinha assured the gathering of govt's commitment to stronger frameworks and cross-sector collaboration. "This is not a single-agency issue. It requires everyone — govt, civil society and experts — coming together to strengthen the system," he said. Prof N K Ganguly, former DG of ICMR, highlighted the need for investment in diagnostics, better regulation, and scaling up innovations. The roundtable brought together perspectives from medicine, law, advocacy and governance, each viewing the issue through a different lens but advocating a unified message — that blood safety must be treated as foundational to India's healthcare transformation, not as a peripheral challenge.
India.com
3 days ago
- Health
- India.com
Jammu and Kashmir Turned Hub Of Narcotics: A Threat From Across The Border
Jammu and Kashmir is facing a new crisis as officials state that drug addiction is becoming a serious concern in Kashmir, devastating the lives of young people. There has been a sharp rise in heroin consumption, with the main rehabilitation facility in Srinagar reporting a 200 per cent increase in patients seeking treatment since 2020, primarily for heroin addiction. Recent surveys on drug abuse in Jammu and Kashmir paint a grim picture of an escalating crisis, particularly in the Kashmir Valley. Approximately 13 lakh people in J&K are estimated to be drug users, representing about 10% of the population. These figures suggest a sharp rise from earlier estimates of 6 lakh in 2022. Heroin is the most commonly used drug, with a 95 per cent dependence rate among users. It is often injected, leading to high rates of syringe reuse and sharing, which increases health risks like Hepatitis C. Reports indicate that the majority of users fall into the 15–30 age group. Eighty-five per cent of opioid users prefer injection. Approximately 33,000 syringes are used daily for heroin injection in the Valley; a rough estimate suggests that among them, 65% are reused syringes, which increases the risks of diseases like Hepatitis C. Doctors at the main Drug De-addiction Centre in Srinagar stated that around 350-400 addicts visit the daily outpatient department (OPD), with a maximum of around 300 being heroin users who administer the drug through injection. Dr. Fazl e Roub, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, IMHANS, said, "We used to see 3-4 patients in 2016, but now we see 350-400 patients daily, most of whom are heroin users. I am talking about this center only; there are many more centers in Kashmir, and mostly they use syringes. Many patients are now shifting to Tapandol as the government has imposed strict restrictions. Out of the 350-400 patients we see daily, 300 are using heroin, and of those, 250-270 use syringes. They have a vast network; many peddlers are here, but now it's getting difficult for them. It's affecting the whole community; almost 70 per cent of them have Hepatitis C, and it goes from one human to another; it affects the whole family. The age group is 18 to 29; we have seen some females also. Treatment-seeking data for this center is around 8000, and many do not seek treatment early. A survey indicated 68,000 patients were treatment-seeking. We get patients from all classes; it's unfortunate that every class is getting affected, even the professional class." Drug abuse imposes a significant financial burden, as it is estimated that a user spends an average of INR 88,000–90,000 monthly on heroin. One of the drug addicts in rehabilitation spoke to Zee News, stating that he used to take 4 grams of heroin daily, which cost him around 24,000 rupees a day. He said there are more than 50 people alone selling in Srinagar, and dozens are in Jammu. In Jammu, drugs are available at a lower rate, so youth from Srinagar now travel to Jammu daily to obtain heroin. A drug addict in the rehab center said, "I used to take 4 grams of heroin; it costs 24,000 rupees per day. We used to manage money; four or five friends of us contributed. It's 100% true that heroin is used by 90% of drug abusers in Kashmir; heroin use is increasing day by day. This time, most of the use is happening in Jammu and Kashmir. They want to destroy the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, and that's happening. Heroin use will never end. It's common everywhere—in colleges, in schools, in tuition centers. 'Chitta' is common; it's called Chitta because it is white in color. It's increasing minute by minute. You say 50 thousand; around 1 lakh are those who are taking treatment, taking medicine; imagine how many more there would be. I am talking about heroin users; they are not in thousands; they are in lakhs. Earlier, it used to come pure; now it's synthetic. In Kashmir, around 40-50 are selling this. Now youth don't go to dealers in Kashmir; they directly go to Jammu. There are so many spots in Jammu; one gets closed, another is opened." J&K Police and security forces have now escalated their fight against narco-terrorism through property seizures, arrests, and enhanced border surveillance, targeting both drug peddlers and their financial networks. While significant strides have been made, the complex nexus of drugs and terrorism, fueled by Pakistan-based handlers, remains a formidable challenge. The police focused on dismantling interstate and cross-border narco-terror modules. In 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir Police invoked the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act against notorious drug peddlers. Across the Union Territory, 463 detention orders were issued under PIT-NDPS in the last 18 months leading up to June 2024, indicating sustained enforcement into 2025. SSP Srinagar G V Sundeep said, "This year, police in the anti-drug campaign have done extensive work against drug trafficking. Around 80 FIRs are registered, and nearly 150 drug peddlers were arrested. Around 40 big drug peddlers were booked under UAPA, which has given a jolt to their supply chain. Under NDPS cases, during investigations, many bank accounts were seized, and properties of big drug peddlers were seized and attached, valued around 7-8 crore rupees. Huge quantities of heroin, cannabis, and other drugs were recovered, which shows Jammu and Kashmir police's zero tolerance." "Jammu and Kashmir, in the present and in the past, has busted many narco-terrorism modules. We, the police and administration, have many times, with proofs and evidence, shown the international community that narcotics fund terrorism. Many times we filed charge sheets; even the NIA also proved that a share in drug trade goes to terrorists." Apart from the crackdown on drug peddlers, the police continued coordination, community engagement, and rehabilitation efforts among the common people to curb narco-terrorism. Jammu and Kashmir police also started awareness programs among common masses; in every police station, a 'thana diwas' is conducted to educate people about drug abuse. SSP Srinagar G V Sundeep said, "For many years, Jammu and Kashmir has adopted a multi-frontal approach in the anti-drug campaign. We make people aware every week during 'thana diwas'. We mostly talk about drugs; we try to engage youth in sports to keep them away from drugs." Intelligence agencies suggest that as Pakistan is financially unstable, it is getting difficult for them to fund the terror organizations operating in Jammu and Kashmir. Now, changing their strategy, they have told terror organizations to focus more on narco trade. ISI, along with terror organizations operating in Pakistan, are pushing hard drugs like heroin and brown sugar through the LoC and Punjab, which are sold in Jammu and Kashmir as well as routed to metro cities in India, mostly Mumbai, and the Middle East, where their value increases 1000 times. A kilogram of heroin which costs 5 lakhs in Kashmir is sold for around 5 crores in Mumbai or Dubai. Agencies say the heroin comes into Jammu and Kashmir from Afghanistan via Pakistan, a region known as the Golden Crescent, a name given to the opium-producing countries. As per data from the Narcotics Control Bureau of India, almost 800 kg of heroin were seized in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab from March 2019 to January 2025. Narco-terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir refers to the nexus between drug trafficking and terrorist activities, primarily driven by Pakistan-based groups to fund terrorism and destabilize the region. This phenomenon has emerged as a significant security and social challenge in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly after the steep rise in drug-related incidents. Agencies believe the LoC is a key entry point, with drugs like heroin, brown sugar, and cannabis smuggled through unfenced areas in districts like Kupwara, Baramulla, and Jammu border areas like R.S. Pura. Drones are increasingly used to drop consignments. Some drug consignments enter via Punjab and are rerouted to Jammu and Kashmir. Agencies also have reports that Pakistan orchestrates narco trade in Jammu and Kashmir and other metro cities of India and routes it to the Middle East to earn huge amounts out of this trade. Out of the earned amount, some percentage is used by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Pakistan military to fund terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities claim that Pakistan channels drug profits to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen. A rough estimate suggests narcotics trafficking along the Afghanistan-Pakistan-India corridor generates estimated earnings of ₹500 crore annually. NIA findings of ongoing drug seizures, such as 200 kg of heroin in 2019 and multiple seizures in 2020–2022, and busts of narcotics worth Rs 65 crore in Baramulla and Rs 180 crore in Samba, indicate a robust narco-terror network linked to Pakistan-based terror groups.
Health Line
6 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
What are the Different Types of Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a type of hepatitis that can be further broken down into genotypes, or strains. Knowing which type you have can determine which treatment will work best for you. Hepatitis C is a type of liver disease that is among the most common viral forms of hepatitis in the United States. Treatment is essential to easing hepatitis C infection and helping to prevent long-term complications. Knowing the type of hepatitis C you have can help your doctor in deciding which treatment to suggest. What is hepatitis C? The term 'hepatitis' refers to liver inflammation in general. Hepatitis C is inflammation due to infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). There are five types of viral hepatitis, with HAV, HBV, and HCV the most common in the U.S. The other types are HDV and HEV. How do you get hepatitis C? Hepatitis C primarily spreads through direct contact with the blood of someone who also has the viral infection. While treatable when detected in its early stages, about half of people with hepatitis C aren't aware they even have this condition. There is also currently no vaccine available for HCV to help prevent hepatitis C. How are different types of hepatitis C classified? Different types of hepatitis C are classified into different strains, or genotypes, of HCV, depending on the genetic makeup of the virus. Seven main genotypes are currently recognized. Though some strains are seen worldwide, others are more regional. Genotype Description 1 Genotype 1 is the most common HCV strain, accounting for about 60% of cases in the U.S. This strain may also be further divided into types 1a and 1b. 2 Genotype 2 also includes types 2a, 2b, and 2c. While cases have been noted worldwide, strain 2 is primarily seen in both central and western Africa. 3 Genotype 3 is another possible strain of HCV seen in the U.S. However, it's primarily diagnosed in Asia. Genotype 3 may also be further classified into types 3a and 3b. 4 Genotype 4 is mostly seen in the Middle East and northern Africa 5 Strain 5 is primarily seen in South Africa. 6 Genotype 6 mostly occurs in southeastern Asia. 7 Strain 7 is only seen in the Congo region of central Africa. How does the type of hepatitis C affect treatment? The differences between each strain of HCV may determine how well prescription direct-acting antiviral treatments can help treat hepatitis C. Each type can impact the effectiveness of the overall treatment. The most commonly diagnosed hepatitis C genotypes in the U.S. are genotypes 1, 2, and 3. As such, your doctor will likely choose an antiviral treatment that can target one of these three strains. Testing can help confirm the exact genotype you have. During treatment, a doctor will order regular blood testing to determine whether the medications you're taking are working. How do you know which type of hepatitis C you have? Genotype testing for hepatitis C can be important to determine exactly which type of HCV infection you have, so a doctor can make tailored treatment recommendations. This includes the type of antiviral treatment prescribed and how long you need to take these medications. While genotype 1 is the most common type of hepatitis C in the U.S., it's important to let your doctor know if you've recently traveled internationally in case you have come into contact with other types. The only way to know which type of hepatitis C you have is through a blood test. A doctor will then send a sample to a lab for further molecular testing. A doctor can also confirm that you have hepatitis C by testing your blood for an HCV antibody. »MORE: Learn more about symptoms, causes, and risk factors of hepatitis C. How to treat different types of hepatitis C? Treatment for any type of hepatitis C is important in clearing up the viral infection. While some cases are short-term (acute), others may develop into chronic hepatitis C. Chronic cases can also increase your risk of developing liver cirrhosis or cancer. According to the CDC, antiviral treatment for hepatitis C in the U.S. typically involves oral medications you take for 8 to 12 weeks. Hepatitis C treatment also has an estimated 95% cure rate. The key is to determine which type of hepatitis C you have so a doctor can prescribe the right treatment. In some cases, you might need more than one medication. Your doctor may first try a pangenotypic regimen, which means that it may treat all genotypes. Examples of medication include: glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (Mavyret) sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (Epclusa) sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (Vosevi) Genotypes 1 and 4 may respond best to ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (Harvoni) or elbasvir/grazoprevir (Zepatier). Prescribing the right medication for your hepatitis C genotype may involve some trial and error. This is why regular blood testing is important to determine whether the antiviral medications are working. »MORE: Discover a full list of heptatitis C medications. The takeaway Hepatitis C is an infection that results from the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Several strains of HCV exist worldwide – seven main ones are currently known. The type of HCV infection you have can be determined with a simple blood test. While some direct-acting antiviral medications target all HCV genotypes, it may be useful to try a treatment that targets your specific genotype. Testing your blood to see which type of HCV you have can help a doctor decide which treatment may work best for you. Frequently asked questions Find answers to some frequently asked questions about hepatitis C genotypes: What is an HCV genotype? An HCV genotype refers to different strains of HCV that arise due to variations in the genetic make up of the virus. While new HCV genotypes are still being discovered, there are currently seven main genotypes that are known. How common is each HCV genotype worldwide? Genotype 1 is considered the most common worldwide and in the U.S. Genotypes 2 and 3 are also seen around the globe, while genotypes 4 to 7 are more regional. Does my HCV genotype affect my treatment? It's possible that the HCV genotype you have can affect how well antiviral treatments can work. However, newer medications are being developed that can treat all forms of hepatitis C and eliminate the need for genotype testing. How is HCV genotype testing performed? HCV genotype testing involves a blood test. A laboratory can then look for variations in the virus' genome to identify the strain, before reporting the results back to your doctor. Can a person have more than one HCV genotype? While uncommon, it's possible to have more than one HCV genotype at the same time. In this case, your doctor will need to make sure your treatment can treat all of them. Does my HCV genotype affect how severe my symptoms are? Some studies indicate that certain genotypes are associated with more severe hepatitis. For example, genotype 3 HCV infections may increase your risk of rapid fibrosis as well as liver cancer. Can my HCV genotype change over time? No, your HCV genotype will not change over time. You will usually only need to be tested to find out the genotype once. However, if you get the virus again, you'll need to have a test to determine the genotype once more. Are certain HCV genotypes more common in specific populations? Certain genotypes are more likely in particular geographical locations. For example, while genotype 1 is the most common worldwide, some genotypes are more regional, such as genotype 7 that is mostly seen in the Congo. Do HCV genotypes differ in how easily they spread? While it's unclear whether certain HCV genotypes spread more easily than others, research suggests some genotypes may have higher viral loads.
