World Hepatitis Day marked, experts push for greater awareness

Terming hepatitis as a ‘silent killer’, physicians and medical experts called upon various social, medical and educational institutes to create awareness among the masses about the causes and consequences of the dreaded disease.

An appeal was made during the concluding session of seminars and workshops held at various institutes like Shreyans Paper Mill, Malikpur; Victoria Senior Secondary School, Lehra village; and Wisdom World Public School, Dehliz Road, by the healthcare personnel and social activists, led by Dr Sunit Hind and Bipan Sethi.

Speakers, including SMO Dr Jyoti and former president Venu Gopal, cautioned that over 50 million Indians had been suffering from either of the five traits of the virus that caused hepatitis in human beings. The virus was also responsible for around 72 per cent of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma cases in the country.

Addressing that residents of the Malwa region were more susceptible to hepatitis B and C, speakers cautioned that the disease could transform into an epidemic soon.

Elaborating on the theme of World Hepatitis Day 2025, ‘Let us break it down’ physicians discussed major tips on prevention and spread of the dreaded virus.

Free diagnostic tests for ruling out infection of the virus were conducted by organisers at various places.