The elimination of viral hepatitis, which is a silent killer claiming over a million lives across the world every year, is very much an achievable goal, Dr. S. C. Parija, JIPMER Director, said on Thursday.
Inaugurating a hepatitis screening initiative as part of World Hepatitis Day observance hosted by JIPMER’s Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Dr. Parija said the emergence of effective vaccines, modern treatment protocols for Hepatitis B and curative drugs for Hepatitis C were indication that it was possible to tame the scourge.
Pointing out that a majority of people living with viral hepatitis were unaware of the condition and only a minority of those infected receive treatment, Dr. Parija said the elimination of viral hepatitis will not only save millions of lives but also promote economic growth.
World Hepatitis Alliance’s theme for 2016 is NoHep that symbolises a global movement to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030.
Medical Superintendent Dr. J. Balachander explained that viral hepatitis was the inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. Hepatitis B and C can cause long term infection resulting in complications such as cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.
Dr. Ashok Badhe, Professor of Anaesthesia, said that it was important for everyone to know the risks of contracting hepatitis. Common modes of transmission include infected blood via unsafe injections and medical procedures, from infected mother-to-child at birth, and through sexual contact.
Dr. Abdoul Hamide, Professor and Head of Medical Gastroenterology said that a simple blood test is the only way to know if somebody has hepatitis. World Health Organization (WHO) therefore urges people to get tested to improve their own health and reduce risk of transmission. It also recommends vaccination of all children against hepatitis B and adults at risk of acquiring hepatitis B, he said.
Dr. Pazhanivel Mohan, coordinator of the programme also felt that the elimination of viral hepatitis was near given the effective preventive vaccine and treatment available for Hepatitis B and drugs for cure in Hepatitis C. WHO is developing a global health strategy for hepatitis that will increase political commitment and set the framework for concerted global action to eliminate hepatitis by 2030. NOhep, a global movement to eliminate viral hepatitis, was launched this year by the World Hepatitis Alliance to provide a platform for people to speak out and take action to ensure global commitments are met and viral hepatitis is eliminated. Staff, students, faculty and the public participated and viral Hepatitis knowledge assessment, Hepatitis education and screening of health personnel for hepatitis C were done.
