Prakasam District Medical and Health Officer B. Vinod Kumar has underscored the need for stepping up awareness on viral hepatitis, which was emerging as a major public health concern in the country.
Taking part in a World Hepatitis Day event at the Vijaysree Gastro and Liver Care Centre here on Sunday, he said, “Let us tell people that hepatitis is preventable and treatable.”
Gastroenterologist D. Venkateswarlu said viral hepatitis was the second major killer infectious disease. The number of people infected with hepatitis was nine times more than that of HIV, he added.
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Lions Club of Ongole Citizens president Sk. Niyamatullah offered to collaborate with the hospital to hold medical camps for viral hepatitis. It was unfortunate that nine out of 10 people who were living with viral hepatitis, were unaware of it, he said.
According to a study, 80% of people living with hepatitis lacked prevention, testing and treatment facilities, said Dr. B. Thirumala Rao of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences here.
Students who took part in a poster contest on the occasion were given away prizes.
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