NATIONAL LIVER FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES “GET TESTED” AS WORLD HEPATITIS DAY ’14 THEME

Breakthrough In Treatment Ushers Hope For Patients

Mumbai: With the estimated carrier pool for Hepatitis B and C pegged at 50 million in India and the illness emerging as one of the top health concerns of the nation, the National Liver Foundation has decided to observe the World Hepatitis Day 2014 with the theme, “Get Tested”.

"Despite the magnitude of the illness, Viral Hepatitis has very low awareness in India. There is lack of awareness of the threat as well as of the treatment options. Those who don’t have the disease are not aware of the risk factors and those who are infected are not aware that they can be treated successfully. With one of the largest carrier pools in the world, hepatitis prevention and early identification are the priorities in this country. Bearing this in mind, our campaign for the Hepatitis Day this year is “Get Tested”," says Dr. Shah, Founder Trustee of the National Liver Foundation and Head of the Dept of Hepatology at Global Hospitals, Mumbai.

Viral hepatitis is a liver disease caused by a virus. There are five different hepatitis viruses, hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis B, C and D viruses can also cause long-term infection, called chronic hepatitis, which can lead to life-threatening complications such as cirrhosis (liver scarring), liver failure, and liver cancer. Viral hepatitis kills 1.5 million people every year. Together hepatitis B and C represent one of the major threats to global health and India in particular. Contracted through blood-to-blood contact, Hepatitis B and C are both ‘silent’ viruses, and because many people feel no symptoms, a person could be infected for years without knowing it.

“In some cases, a diagnosis is made too late and the only option is a liver transplant. Any person who falls within the risk category should get tested as soon as possible and, if diagnosed, consider precautions and treatment options,” adds Dr. Shah.

While instances of Hepatitis across the world have been seeing a rise, World Hepatitis Day 2014 also has something to cheer about, thanks to emergence of breakthrough treatment options.  The earlier treatment method using interferon (upto 1 year long injections and fraught with serious side effects) is giving way to new oral drugs.  These drugs could become available in India very soon once procedural formalities are cleared. In the west, these drugs are available already and have proven highly effective. The drug companies have already committed to providing the drugs in India at affordable cost. 

Hepatitis B and C viruses are largely transmitted through blood transfusions, medical or dental interventions without adequate sterilization of equipment, mother to infant during childbirth, sharing equipment for injecting drugs, sharing razors, toothbrushes or other household articles, tattooing and body piercing if done using unsterilised equipment.

“By adopting basic hygiene measures and precautions, hepatitis transmission can be prevented. The National Liver Foundation has been working in Mumbai and is now extending its reach to other cities and towns. With its huge population and high density, India is sitting on the brink of an explosion. Under the circumstances, ‘Get Tested’ would not merely be a campaign tag, but a potential life saver,” concludes Dr. Shah.

About National Liver Foundation:The NLF was set up in 1999 as a registered non-profit organization with the aim of helping patients with liver diseases, increase awareness about liver disease amongst the public, patients and medical fraternity and promote concept of organ donation and cadaveric liver transplant. The foundation has reputed philanthropists and eminent doctors committed to the cause of liver disease.

World Hepatitis Day on 28^th July -  For a Hepatitis Free India