Mass Covid-19 testing for street based drug users organised

Imphal: As part of the Manipur government initiative to fight Covid-19 pandemic, social welfare department, Federation of India NGO for Drug Addict Prevention FINGODAP- Manipur Chapter and private de-addiction centres jointly organised mass Covid-19 testing for street based drugs users at the office premise of the Directorate of Social Welfare, here on Monday.

Social welfare director Ngangom Uttam Singh said the free testing is being organised for the street based drug users to find out Covid-19 positive for timely treatment to save and protect their life from coronavirus.

Those who are tested negative will be taken back to an identified Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts or a Designated De-Addiction Camp as the case may be for further treatment. If anybody is found positive in the test will be referred to Covid Care Centre, the director said.

The main objective of the testing programme was to prevent spreading of Covid-19 among drugs users and to enable them to lead a normal life after treatment.

Around 30 persons including six females turned up for the testing.