The National Foundation for Liver Research (NFLR) aims to take up research to reduce the need for liver transplant, and reduce the volume of liver taken from the donor, according to its founder, Mohamed Rela.
Started six months ago, NFLR will support and offer treatment for patients requiring surgeries for biliary atresia, liver cancer and cholangiocarcinoma, promote organ donation and take up research, said Dr. Rela, who is also director of Institute of Liver Disease and Transplantation, Global Hospital and Health City. He was speaking on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day on Monday.
NFLR has screened around 20,000 persons through camps and about 1,000 persons have been vaccinated against hepatitis B.
N. Ravi, editor-in-chief, The Hindu , expressed concern that the number of cases of hepatitis B and C were growing in the country and people were not aware of it. “The World Health Organisation recommends that administering hepatitis B vaccine at birth ought to be made mandatory in the general immunisation programme. Giving information to the public on the prevention of hepatitis is of critical importance,” he said. He added that observance of the day should spur public and political action to reduce the toll of the disease.
Former Indian cricket captain Kris Srikanth stressed the importance of creating awareness on hepatitis B.
A pledge to make people aware of hepatitis was taken on the occasion. K. Ravindranath, chairman and managing director of Global Hospitals Group, and Priya Ramachandran, trustee of NFLR, were present.
