Hepatitis is commonly behind liver-related ailments, including liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) and liver failure (liver cirrhosis).
This year, WHO declared an undertaking for eradicating the life-threatening disease by the year 2030, and the initiative was commenced on 28th July, marking the World Hepatitis Day.
The Fortis Hospital, Mohali, joined the noble cause, and carried out over 500 free screenings for Hepatitis B and C. Patients, staff, attendants, and others at the hospital got tested free of cost at the hospital, on Thursday.
Hep B and C are often cited as silent killers, as their symptoms generally appear in much later stages, though a blood test is the only definitive way of determining the presence of the viruses.
Dr. Arvind Sahni, Head of Gastroenterology department at the hospital, spoke about the turmoil brought by the disease, as well as the medical advancements set to battle it out.
Dr. Sahni said “India has over 35 million people infected with Hepatitis B and over 40 million people infected with Hepatitis C. “The annual death rate due to Hepatitis C alone is approximately 1,00,000.”
Handing over crucial information to the audience about the liver condition, Dr. Sahni said that though hepatitis B can be prevented by 3 doses of the designated vaccine, no vaccine has yet been developed for hepatitis C. Though, recent progress in the field of medicine has taken the cure rate if hep C up to 95 %, added the doctor.
He further advised the assembly to take careful preventive measures, such as avoiding abuse of intravenous drugs, avoiding tattooing, not to take untested blood or blood products, practising safe sex, and using sterilized needles and syringes. Dr. Sahni also encouraged voluntary blood donation and proper testing of these viruses in certified blood banks amongst his audience.