Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has launched a special fund called ‘Mukh Mantri Punjab Hepatitis C Relief Fund’ to provide free treatment for patients affected by Hepatitis C. With this initiative, Punjab has become the first state in the country to provide free treatment to confirmed cases of Hepatitis C. Punjab government has created a special fund with an initial contribution of Rs 20 crore called the ‘Mukh Mantri Punjab Hepatitis C Relief Fund’ for this purpose.

Badal hoped that this initiative will go a long way to mitigate the woes of people suffering from Hepatitis C in general and their family in particular. Until recently, the treatment consisted of injectable peg-interferon which was very expensive and unaffordable.

The scheme was now available to all the residents of Punjab. The patients of Hepatitis C will be registered in 25 hospitals and medicines for the course of treatment will be issued after examination and testing by the medical specialists.

Did You Know?

• Hepatitis C is a disease caused by a virus that infects the liver. In time, it can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure.
• Many people don’t know that they have hepatitis C until they already have some liver damage. This can take many years.
• Although hepatitis C can be very serious, most people can manage the disease and lead active, full lives.
• Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus. It is spread by contact with an infected person’s blood.