Liuetenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung inaugurated the 17th Hepatitis Day at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi. About 60 million people in India are infected with hepatitis B and C, second only to China. This year the emphasis was on initiating the drive to make India hepatitis free. HIV having been contained and on a decline, hepatitis is the most important preventable infectious disease. To drive home the core message about viral hepatitis ILBS organised full day public participation and free liver screening.
The world has already joined hands in spreading awareness about HIV and AIDS and there is a separate day (1st December) celebrated for this very purpose. But, with increasing life expectancy in HIV survivors, Hepatitis B and C viruses have developed as important comorbidities against the HIV virus. HIV and AIDS having been largely contained, hepatitis has emerged as the most important preventable infectious disease. Giving credence to this idea, Delhi government in collaboration with ILBS and department of family welfare has launched Hepatitis Convergence Week from 1st to 6th December. Under this concept daily educational lectures and field activities are undertaken by ILBS every day of the week. About 1700 ANMs, 4300 ASHAs, 10000 AWWs in addition to 1200 Medical Officers will be reached through such events in the week.
More than eighty schools and over 400 children from Delhi and NCR participated in the poster making, slogan writing and fancy dress competitions organised as part of the event, which is more than double the number of schools participating in the same activity last year. The organisers received more than 250 entries for the poster competition alone. The winners were awarded by the Hon’ble LG.
'Viral hepatitis, eradication by 2080' has been declared as the theme for the 17th Hepatitis Day. Dr Sarin, director ILBS, elucidating on the novel drive, shared the concept with the audience. He averred that since Hepatitis vaccination is such a potent method to prevent the infection. Therefore if all babies born today are completely vaccinated, then by the time the unvaccinated population passes away (i.e. 65 years from now assuming normal lifespan at 65 years) there would be no more people with the virus. Hence we can theoretically achieve the impossible if only we have the determination.
Speaking on the occasion the Hon’ble LG said that the government is committed to the drive against Hepatitis. He said the government would be more than willing to extend all possible cooperation in the vaccination drive which can prevent the spread of infection. He congratulated the institute and its Director for successfully championing the cause of this disease.
Dr SCL Das, secretary health GNCTD said that more needs to be done for Hepatitis prevention and the concept should be taken up on mission mode. He also suggested that schools should devote one hour to the concept of Hepatitis prevention every month called the ‘Hepatitis Hour.’
Dr Shiv Sarin, director ILBS, stressed that despite newer and better treatments being available to patients of Hepatitis B and C, their cost is so high that for most patients these treatments are unaffordable. For instance, treatment of Hepatitis C with a new drug can cost upwards of a crore of rupees. Dr Sarin urged that these medicines should be subsidised for the common man. He also suggested that there should be free treatment for Hepatitis B and C like there is for TB and HIV.