Reckitt organises webinar on 'World Hepatitis Day'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 29 2021: Reckitt, the global leader in consumer-healthcare led The Birds and Bees Talk programme, celebrated World Hepatitis Day in the six states of North-Eastern India - Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur and Mizoram.

To mark the occasion, the Durex-led "The Birds and Bees Talk" (TBBT), a purpose initiative supported by Reckitt and Plan India, initiated a webinar to increase outreach amongst community, students and teachers through experts, influencers and talented artists to raise awareness about the disease, said a statement issued by Reckitt.

This year 'Hep Can't Wait', the International theme highlights the urgency of efforts needed to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 which would prevent approximately 36 million infections & save 10 million lives.

The webinar was chaired by Diana Khumanthem (IAS, DC Imphal East, Manipur); Mrs Koing Samon Umbon (DDSE, Namsai), an educationist and social activist, former ADEO - Assistant District Educational Officer and currently working for women rights and development; Dr Tope Yomcha (DRCHO- District Reproductive Child Health Officer, NHM), former GDMO- General Duty Medical Officer and a recipient of the State Gold Medal for improving immunization status in Changlang District and Dr Banikanta (Influencer), a Consultant Physician & Diabetologist and a renowned YouTuber who creates live webinars and videos to bridge the gap between medical science and the general-public.

Through this initiative the speakers touched upon the risks, prevention along-with discussing the key solutions for the disease.

Hepatitis B and C are silent epidemics, hitting children and marginalized populations and kill more people annually than from HIV/AIDS, Malaria & tuberculosis.

90% of people living with hepatitis B and 80% living with hepatitis C are unaware they are living with such disease, resulting in the real possibility of developing fatal liver disease or liver cancer at some point in their lives and in some cases, unknowingly transmitting the infection to others, although Hepatitis B is vaccirie preventable, and Hepatitis C is curable, added the statement.

Dr Tope Yomcha said, "It is important to educate the future generation about the severity of Hepatitis and its adverse effects.

The youth contributing to 70% of our population, it is imperative to understand the implications of this fatal disease as it can seriously damage the liver, cause cancer and premature death.

Through this webinar, we initiated a much needed dialogue and raised awareness about the disease among the masses.

We hope we were successful in fulfilling the goal of educating the younger generation and being one step closer to eradicating the disease".

In 2015, viral hepatitis was included in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in 2016 the world's first global hepatitis strategy to eliminate the disease was ratified.

Reckitt is a global leading consumer health and hygiene company.

Driven by a purpose to build healthier lives and happier homes and has operations in over 60 countries.

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