Silent Epidemic: Hepatitis Awareness Calls for Systemic Action

In India, a staggering less than one per cent of hepatitis-B patients receive treatment, and only three per cent are aware of their condition, prompting experts to demand urgent systemic reforms to combat what they call a 'silent epidemic.' Rajesh Bhushan, former health secretary, emphasized the need for comprehensive screening, timely vaccinations, and decentralized treatment access.

At the 'Illness to Wellness' conference held on World Hepatitis Day, panelists revealed that only 45 per cent of newborns globally are vaccinated within 24 hours, a crucial timeframe for hepatitis-B prevention. Senior health experts highlighted the preventability of certain hepatitis types through access to clean water and safe food, while stressing the significant role of community-level awareness and real-time data in tackling the disease.

An advocacy for prevention over cure was echoed by Dr. D S Rana from the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, as he underscored the prohibitive costs of liver treatments. Anil Rajput linked hepatitis prevention with national programs like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, emphasizing their role in addressing risk factors such as poor sanitation and unsafe drinking water.

(With inputs from agencies.)