BY TC News Desk
Agartala, June 23: In a proactive move, the district health department of Dharmanagar has announced the initiation of screening tests for multiple diseases, including tuberculosis and hepatitis, alongside AIDS.
Concerns have been raised by both the state and national health departments regarding the increasing prevalence of diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, and malaria, in addition to AIDS.
This issue has become particularly prominent among inmates in local jails, prompting the health department to take necessary measures by conducting screening tests.
To shed light on this initiative, a press conference was held at Dharmanagar North District Hospital, attended by BDO Dr. Rahul Purkayastha and Dr. Sunetra Sharma, the in-charge doctor representing the Health department. The data from surveys conducted across the country reveal a higher national average of HIV infection among prison populations compared to the state of Tripura.
Within the North district, there are a total of 851 confirmed cases of HIV. There are two sub-jails, namely Dharmanagar with 104 inmates and Kanchanpur with 12 inmates, fall under this district.
The screening test program is scheduled to commence on June 26 at Dharmanagar, with its inauguration led by Uttar Tripura Zilla Parishad Sabhadipati Bhabatosh Das. Starting from July 5, two NGOs, namely Ananya Samajsevi Sangathan and Kalyani Samajsevi Sangathan, will actively participate in conducting these screening tests.
It is important to note that the rising number of HIV-infected patients in the northern districts of the state is primarily attributed to drug use. Government and non-governmental social organizations are diligently working to combat the circulation of these drugs and protect young individuals from HIV infections. However, satisfactory results have yet to be achieved despite their dedicated efforts.
