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The Hindu
a day ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Why India's hepatitis crisis needs urgent attention
World Hepatitis Day, observed on July 28, is a global call to action to eliminate viral hepatitis, the second deadliest infectious disease after COVID-19. This year's theme, 'Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down', urges the dismantling of financial, social, and systemic barriers that delay timely diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this silent killer. Understanding hepatitis Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, primarily caused by five viruses: A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A and E are transmitted through contaminated food or water and usually result in acute illness. Hepatitis B, C, and D, however, are more insidious and are transmitted through blood, unsafe medical procedures, unprotected sex, or from mother to child. If left untreated, these can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, or liver cancer. According to the World Health Organization's 2024 Global Hepatitis Report, India bears the world's second-highest burden, with 2.98 crore Hepatitis B and 55 lakh Hepatitis C cases. Alarmingly, nearly 90% of those infected are unaware of their condition and often present only when irreversible liver damage has set in. Despite the availability of vaccines for Hepatitis A and B, and curative treatments for Hepatitis C, hepatitis still claims one life every 30 seconds. Challenges that need addressing In line with the WHO's target to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, India must address pressing challenges such as high diagnostic costs, limited screening, and persistent stigma. Strengthening the healthcare response through routine screening, community-level education, and policies that ensure affordable access to diagnostics and treatment is essential. Across the country, public health institutions, medical colleges, and civil society partners are intensifying efforts through awareness campaigns, screening programs, and policy advocacy to improve access to diagnosis and treatment. Recent initiatives have included national summits bringing together experts and stakeholders to develop comprehensive elimination strategies. On this World Hepatitis Day, let's break the silence, end the stigma, and build a hepatitis-free world. Join the movement. Get tested, get treated, and protect your family. (Dr. Vivek Shanmugam is a liver transplant surgeon & managing trustee, Chennai Liver Foundation . Info@
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Many private hospitals in T.N. hit by acute shortage of Hepatitis B vaccine
: Private hospitals across the State have been facing a shortage of Hepatitis B vaccine over the past few months. The fall in supplies has made it difficult for many hospitals to vaccinate adults at risk, especially those on dialysis. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for infants under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), and for adults at risk such as healthcare providers and people with compromised immune systems. Inquiries with doctors in a number of districts, including Madurai, Tiruchi, Chennai, Erode, and Theni, revealed that there is a shortage of vaccines in many private centres. A doctor in Madurai said, 'We had reached a point where we were left with very few doses of the vaccine. We could not vaccinate newborn children, but got support from government facilities. We received a supply recently, but the quantity does not meet our demand. There has been an acute shortage of the vaccine for the last seven to eight months, and we are unsure of the reason. We have been continuously raising the issue with the manufacturer almost every week.' Multi-dose vials, which have 10 doses each, are used for healthcare workers since it is cost-effective, whereas, single dose vials are used for patients, she said. 'This is mainly recommended for patients visiting nephrology and oncology departments. Due to acute shortage for a few months, we could not vaccinate them,' she added. Doctors in Erode pointed out the difficulty in vaccinating healthcare workers and patients on dialysis due to limited stock, as well as the increase in the cost of vaccines. A year ago, the Chennai Liver Foundation wrote to the vaccine manufacturing company on the poor supply of vaccines. A little later, vaccines were supplied, prioritising the pentavalent ones meant for UIP, while those for adult usage trickled in now and then, according to Vivekanandan Shanmugam, its managing trustee. 'We wrote to the Government of India and they, in response, acknowledged the short supply. They said vaccines would be supplied prioritising the pentavalent doses, and those for the high-risk population. We are not sure when this issue will be sorted out,' he said. Survey to check availability There is a real shortage, and that is why the foundation has sent a survey form to all practitioners and gastroenterologists across India to assess the availability of the vaccine in their centres, Dr. Vivekanandan says, adding: 'This is a gross problem as vaccination is crucial to prevent liver cancers. The World Health Organisation recommends Hepatitis B testing and vaccination for all adults. But given the situation, we should try to test and vaccinate at least those at high risk such as healthcare workers, child-bearing women considering the risk of transmission from mother to child, immune-compromised persons, and those with co-infections such as HIV.' A government doctor said there was increased dependency on the government sector as private hospitals in tier-2 cities and semi-urban areas were facing the shortage of vaccines. Another government doctor added that while the vaccine was freely available for the UIP, they were using the buffer stock for vaccinating patients such as those on dialysis. T.S. Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said the government sector faced no challenges with procuring the vaccine. 'We have 6.34 lakh doses. This is mainly for healthcare workers. Considering our monthly requirement of around 81,000 doses, this stock will last seven to eight months. We also have 2.62 lakh doses of pentavalent vaccine, which is part of the UIP. The pentavalent contains Hepatitis B, and we have supplies that will last over 1.5 months,' he said. He added that if there was any issue with the availability of vaccines in the private sector, people could reach out to Primary Health Centres, where vaccination would be provided as per the UIP schedule for free.
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Look younger 'by the day' with one drink Harvard doctor says works
The secret to looking younger than your actual age could be as simple as adding one thing to your usual drink A doctor says drinking a glass of water with a slice of fruit in it every day could help trick people into thinking you are younger than you actually are. Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist who graduated from Harvard University, said that drinking lemon water daily might help wipe away signs of ageing. He shared his experience and knowledge with his 505,000 followers on TikTok (@doctorsethimd). He previously issued an urgent warning to people using plastic water bottles and heating up leftovers in takeaway containers, as the material is showing up in our brains, reports What's The Jam. Now, the 42-year-old has shared what happens to the body if lemon water is consumed for 30 days straight. He suggests that it could be the secret to looking younger. In the clip, he said: 'Lemons are packed with 30 different beneficial plant compounds. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is the best, as it has not gone through pasteurisation so it retains more nutrients.' Dr Sethi explains that the natural acidity can help the body absorb minerals more efficiently, especially iron. He added: 'They are also a great source of vitamin C, which supports collagen production, and is essential for healthy skin, joints and connective tissue.' Although consuming lemon water won't provide a miraculous source of youth, it can aid in achieving a healthier and more glowing complexion, possibly giving you a more youthful appearance. Lemon water may assist in collagen production, minimise free radical damage, and support liver function, all of which can influence skin health. Some experts suggest that lemon water may help cleanse the liver, which plays a role in overall skin health and detoxification. By promoting healthy liver function, the body can better eliminate toxins that might contribute to skin problems, according to the Chennai Liver Foundation. The doctor says it is simple to add lemon into your diet – simply squeeze a full lemon into a glass of water daily and enjoy. Grabbing a fresh lemon doesn't have to be expensive either, Aldi sells 'wonky' versions of the fruit in a 79p pack of four, which works out at just under 20p per lemon. Is lemon safe for everyone to consume? Lemon is generally safe for most people to consume in moderate amounts. However, some might experience negative effects such as allergies. Dr Sethi included a warning in his video for people with acid reflux. He said: "Lemon water might actually make your symptoms worse because it is an acid so best to avoid having it daily, or only use a small amount." The high acidity of lemons can also wear away tooth enamel over time, especially with frequent or large consumption, which can lead to sensitivity and damage. If you have any concerns about drinking lemon water, especially if you have existing health conditions, consult a doctor.
