Health Dept goes all out to curb hepatitis B in state

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 11

After achieving success in curbing hepatitis C, the state government has started a drive to restrict hepatitis B.

The programme has been launched under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP).

Initially, screening of pregnant women and high-risk groups, including patients suffering from thalassemia, HIV and intravenous drug users would be held for hepatitis B at district, sub-divisional hospitals, Government Medical College Amritsar and Patiala. Even testing kits have been supplied to the hospitals concerned.

Experts informed that hepatitis B is a life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can cause a chronic infection, which can lead to deadly cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Hepatitis B can also spread through needle stick injury, tattooing, piercing and exposure to infected blood and body fluids, including saliva, menstrual, vaginal and seminal fluids. It can also be transmitted sexually.

Health officials said this virus commonly transmits from mother to child during birth, as well as through contact with blood or other body fluids, therefore, antenatal screening of pregnant women and high-risk groups would be done.

Dr Harish Malhotra, Civil Surgeon, said, “Around 21, 050 rapid test kits to screen hepatitis B patients have been distributed. Screening process has begun at Mata Kaushalya Hospital.”

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