Health Minister calls for collective efforts to achieve Hepatitis goal
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 29 2024: Health Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan has called upon all the people to work collectively to achieve the goal of eradicating viral hepatitis from all over India by 2030.World Hepatitis Day 2024 was observed today at JNIMS auditorium under the aegis of Directorate of Health Services, National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP), State Health Society and the National Health Mission.

Speaking at the World Hepatitis Day observation held under the theme "It's time for action", Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan said that the Government of India launched a Hepatitis C control programme in 2019 .

Since 2021, the Government has been working on timely vaccination against Hepatitis B, he said.

Saying that NGOs must play key roles in the Government's efforts to control hepatitis, Dr Ranjan asserted that NGOs and departments concerned must work together towards this end.

If anyone is tested positive for hepatitis, he/she must go for timely treatment instead of concealing the infection, the Health Minister said.

He then appealed to all the people to get tested for hepatitis in time and prevent hepatitis infection.

Health and Family Welfare Special Secretary M Hungyo Worshang pointed out that only six years are left to achieve the goal of eradicating viral hepatitis from India.

All the people of Manipur need to work collectively to achieve the target by the deadline set by the Government of India even if there are many challenges, he said.

There is an urgent need to create awareness about viral hepatitis, timely tests and vaccination among the people living in hills and rural areas, Hungyo Worshang said.

Viral hepatitis test cannot be done compulsorily like Covid if the people are not willing to go for the same test, he said.

NVHCP State Nodal Officer Dr RK Rosy said that sufficient facilities for screening, testing, diagnosis and treatment must be made available to all the people in order to achieve the goal of eradicating viral hepatitis by 2030.At present, around 300 million people are living with viral hepatitis across the world.

Hepatitis B accounts for a larger share of the total infection by viral hepatitis.

Around 250 million people are suffering from Hepatitis B infection while around 50 million are infected by Hepatitis C, Dr Rosy said.

In India, around 40 million people are living with Hepatitis B while 6-12 million are infected by Hepatitis C, she said.

Health Services Director Dr O Sanahanbi said that viral hepatitis is now the biggest public health issue.

Viral hepatitis is caused by five types of virus.

Viral hepatitis A and E are what cause jaundice and water borne diseases during infancy but Hepatitis D has not yet been detected in India.

Hepatitis B and C are very common and they are becoming chronic, she said.

Even if one is infected by Hepatitis B and C, he/she does not show any symptoms for a long time.

The virus goes to the liver and hides there, reproducing rapidly all the while.

Hepatitis B and C can be fatal if the virus is not detected in time.

There is a vaccine for Hepatitis B and needs to get vaccinated in time.

Although Hepatitis C can be treated effectively, no vaccine has been invented yet, Dr Sanahanbi added.

Hepatitis B and C tests and vaccination against Hepatitis B were done at the function where hepatitis drugs were also distributed.

Health and Family Welfare Services Director Dr L Tomcha, JNIMS Director Dr L Deben, JNIMS Medical Superintendent Dr Kh Lokeshore and NHM State Mission Director Dr M Dinesh were also present at the function.

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