Free liver health screening camp for police personnel launched
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
WHO declares Hepatitis D virus as "carcinogenic": What does this mean amidst rising liver diseases
The World Health Organization has declared Hepatitis D as cancer-causing. This announcement coincides with World Hepatitis Day. WHO urges global action against viral hepatitis to reduce liver cancer deaths. Hepatitis affects millions worldwide, causing numerous deaths annually. Early detection and management are crucial. India faces a significant burden of viral hepatitis cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have classified the hepatitis D virus (HDV) as carcinogenic to humans. HDV has joined hepatitis B and C on the list of cancer-causing agents. On Monday, during the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, July 28, 2025, WHO urged governments and partners to accelerate efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat and reduce liver cancer deaths. Hepatitis (B, C, and, D) affects over 300 million people globally and claims 1.3 million lives each year, mainly from liver cirrhosis and cancer. "Every 30 seconds, someone dies from a hepatitis-related severe liver disease or liver cancer. Yet we have the tools to stop hepatitis,' Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said in a statement. Viral hepatitis (types A, B, C, D, and E), is the major cause of acute liver infection. Hepatitis B, C, and D can result in chronic infections that increase the risk of liver cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Yet most people with hepatitis don't know they're infected. What is Hepatitis D Hepatitis D, also known as delta hepatitis, is a rare but severe liver infection caused by the Hepatitis D virus. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moose Approaches Girl At Bus Stop In Chittagong - Watch What Happens Happy in Shape Undo It is rare because it can only infect people who are already infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HDV can only occur as a co-infection or superinfection in people who are HBV-positive. Hepatitis D is carcinogenic The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has recently classified hepatitis D as carcinogenic to humans. Compared to HBV alone, HDV has a two- to six-fold higher risk of liver cancer, making it a serious infection. By classifying HDV as carcinogenic, the health organizations are hoping to raise awareness, improve screening, and expand access to new treatments for hepatitis D across the globe. 'WHO has published guidelines on testing and diagnosis of Hepatitis B and D in 2024, and is actively following the clinical outcomes from innovative treatments for hepatitis D,' Dr Meg Doherty, incoming Director of Science for Health at WHO, said. What is the treatment for HDV? Oral medication can treat Hepatitis C within 2 to 3 months, while effectively controlling hepatitis B with lifelong treatment. The treatment options for HDV, on the other hand, are still developing. Major progress in preventing liver cirrhosis and cancer deaths depends on further steps in managing the global burden such as vaccination, testing, harm reduction, and treatment. In a 2024 report , the WHO had said that India had over 3.5 crore cases of viral hepatitis, including 2.98 crore hepatitis B cases, in 2022, which accounts for 11.6% of the total disease burden globally that year. 7 Ways to check for fatty liver at home Liver diseases are on the rise globally, and HDV being classified as carcinogenic has raised concerns. It adds to the urgency to address this growing crisis, as co-infections exacerbate liver damage and cancer risk. Regular screening and early detection of co-infections, including HDV, will be crucial in reducing the global burden of viral hepatitis
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Economic Times
They save lives, but who saves them? Surgeons face silent injuries in operation theatres; AIIMS and IIT-Delhi step in
Indian surgeons face health risks during long laparoscopic surgeries. IIT Delhi and AIIMS are collaborating to address this. They are designing new laparoscopic tools. The goal is to reduce strain and prevent long-term injuries. Prototypes for graspers, scissors, and needle holders are under development. Simulations are planned for January. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why are surgeons in pain? What's the solution? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why it matters Surgeons may be saving lives every day, but they're often putting their own health at risk in the process, especially during long laparoscopic surgeries. These operations, which require working with long, rigid tools while watching a screen, force doctors into stressful positions for hours. Shoulders stay hunched, wrists twist, and necks strain, all of which can lead to pain, fatigue, and serious long-term tackle this growing problem, IIT Delhi and AIIMS have teamed up to create a new generation of laparoscopic instruments with better design and ergonomics, reported robotic or open surgery, laparoscopic procedures limit how much a surgeon can move. 'We are working with 300mm-long tools, performing complex surgeries without the feel of touch,' explained Dr Sachit Anand, a paediatric surgeon at AIIMS. 'The stress on our muscles and joints is huge, but it's rarely discussed.'Prof Sabyasachi Paldas from IIT Delhi added that the design of existing tools causes repetitive hand movements and awkward body positions. This often results in musculoskeletal disorders that can affect a surgeon's ability to work in the long term.A joint team of surgeons and designers, including students like Nabeeha Akhtar from IIT Delhi, is using a detailed, multi-stage process to develop better tools. They are working on prototypes for graspers, scissors, and needle holders that aim to reduce stress on the body. The goal is to have working models ready by December, with simulations planned for January.'We're focusing on reducing fatigue and pain by improving posture and movement,' said Dr Gourab Kar from the IIT design department. He added that they're also looking at changes in the operating room itself, like adjusting the table height and monitor position.'In laparoscopy, you work in 2D but aim for 3D outcomes. Every move outside the body needs to be precise inside,' said Dr Anand. 'This puts extra pressure on the surgeon's wrists, fingers, spine and shoulders. It's even harder in Indian hospitals where we see high patient numbers and low awareness about ergonomics.'This initiative comes as India marks World Hepatitis Day with a focus on safer healthcare. It serves as a timely reminder that safety in healthcare should also include the well-being of doctors. After all, a healthy surgeon is essential for healthy from TOI
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
GT Hospital in Mumbai gets approval for new medical college building
Mumbai: After a decade-long wait, Gokuldas Tejpal (GT) Hospital will have its own medical college building as state govt has sanctioned nearly Rs 210.8 crore for the construction of the college block, hostels, and staff quarters. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The hospital began its first MBBS batch of 50 students last year and is currently awaiting approval for an intake of 100 students from the National Medical Commission (NMC). The new college building is planned as a G+12 floored structure and will be constructed within the hospital campus. The existing doctors' quarters, spread across 1.5 acres, will be demolished. According to the official recapitulation sheet, the total built-up area of the project will be nearly 34,780.5 sq m, which includes 15,609 sq m for the college building and 9,585.7 sq m each for the boys' and girls' hostels. "It will have all the required facilities as per NMC guidelines. The lecture halls will be able to accommodate 200 students if the govt asks us to expand at any point," said a medical official. The hospital has been struggling with a space crunch for some time now. Earlier, there were deliberations on scaling down its dedicated transgender ward, which witnesses far fewer admissions, and turning that space into a specialty service such as cardiology or nephrology. There has also been back and forth with state govt to move its adjacent 'chota mantralaya' elsewhere and hand over the building back to the hospital so it can function as a tertiary care facility effectively. The building remains GT Hospital on paper with offices functioning from it. "It will take another two to three years for the new buildings to be constructed. In the meantime, we need the adjacent building back to expand the hospital as the current building is a heritage structure with restrictions on repairs," the official said.
