MMC to adopt village in Tiruvallur district, make it Hepatitis-free

On the occasion of World Hepatitis Day on Thursday, the Madras Medical College has proposed to adopt a village and make it Hepatitis infection-free.

The Department of Hepatology will visit Kilacheri village in Tiruvallur district. The village, with a population of 5,000, is part of the department’s outreach activity, said K. Narayanaswami, head of the department.

The villagers would be screened for Hepatitis infections and liver function. Ultrasound scans and blood tests would also be offered. A team of 10 doctors including him and postgraduate students from the radiology department would participate in the programme.

“It will be a monthly evaluation programme with the ultimate ain of making the village Hepatitis-free. The village has two schools and a college. We also plan to increase awareness among the villagers on hygiene and hand wash techniques,” he said. The village has been part of the college’s outreach programme for several years. It all began when C. Rajendran, the director of the Department of Medicine, set up a medical relief centre there.

Government Stanley Hospital has also lined up a series of programmes. The World Health Organisation’s theme for this year’s campaign is Elimination.