According to World Health Organisation (WHO), 350 million people worldwide have been infected with hepatitis-B virus and about 5,00,000 thousand people die every year as a result of hepatitis-B infection. Studies reveal that 90 per cent-100 per cent of the population acquires anti-HAV (hepatitis-A Virus) antibody and becomes immune by adolescence. The theme for “World Hepatitis Day” celebrated on July 28, this year is “This is hepatitis. Know it. Confront it”.

Many epidemics of HEV (hepatitis-E Virus) have been reported from India. India has intermediate HBV (hepatitis-B Virus) endemicity; with a carrier frequency of two to four per cent. India is home to 11 per cent of the world’s people with chronic hepatitis B and the number of deaths from hepatocellular carcinoma or cirrhosis each year is between one to two lakh.

Dr Samir Shah, HOD – hepatology director - Global Hospitals, Mumbai said, “hepatitis is often referred to as 'silent killer’ because liver damage can gradually occur over many years before being discovered and can be a sign of liver failure. hepatitis is far more easily transmitted than HIV and injury in health care. The need of the hour is strong proactive steps taken by Government which can help in prevention of hepatitis B and making the next generation hepatitis free.”

Global Hospitals Mumbai has launched the campaign “I promise to love my liver”, through which they are reaching out to employees of different corporate houses and housing societies across the city and organize health check up camps, health sessions and lectures to raise awareness about hepatitis.