Fight against Hepatitis C takes a beating

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 11

The Covid-19 pandemic has adversely impacted the government’s battle against Hepatitis C – commonly known as ‘Kala Pilia’ – in the state, reveals the data.

If left untreated, Hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer, say the experts.

Government Rajindra Hospital, one of the two model treatment centres in the state for Hepatitis C, saw a considerable decline in the cases. From 765 in 2019, the cases dipped to 428 in 2020. So far in 2021, the count is only 249.

Notably, Government Rajindra Hospital caters to the entire Malwa belt, which has around 60 per cent of the total Hepatitis cases reported in Punjab.

Similarly, at Government Mata Kaushalya Hospital here, the disruption in OPD services due to Covid has already resulted in a steep dip in the reporting of Hepatitis C patients.

As per the diagnostic count, the number of Hepatitis C patients have come down from 369 in 2019 to 222 in 2020. This year, only 101 patients have reported at the hospital so far.

Dr Divjot Singh, district epidemiologist, said the decline in footfall of Hepatitis C patients was due to Covid.

The OPD services had to be shut for months due to Covid, said Dr Singh, adding “though the government is providing free treatment for Hepatitis C, including tests, patients seemingly fearing Covid infection are not showing up for the treatment”.