On the occasion of World Liver Day on Friday, an intensive care unit (ICU) attached to the hepatology department was opened at the GH.
The department registered 3,408 patients and treated 2,873 of them so far, under the Chief Minister’s comprehensive health insurance scheme.
According to dean, V. Kanagasabai, the department earned Rs. 3.3 crore under the scheme, of which Rs. 1 crore was used to develop the ICU. Orders were placed for equipment worth Rs. 60 lakh to help diagnose liver cancer at an early stage.
Meanwhile, screening camps were held in Chennai and the suburbs to test for hepatitis and other liver-related infections. At least 7-8 per cent of those screened in Porur and Manavoor areas tested positive for hepatitis B.
Since February, when the screening camps were launched, 1,706 persons have been tested. Of these, 33 tested positive for hepatitis B infection. As it was just a preliminary investigation, doctors said the patients would have to undergo further tests before treatment options were suggested.
Screening was conducted by students of Madras Medical College in localities such as Tambaram, Madhavaram, Vellaiyur, Periyapalayam and Poonamallee in the suburbs besides some parts of the Chennai Corporation.
The results were released on Friday during the launch of the 30-bed ICU at GH to which the college is attached.