World Hepatitis Day: Maharashtra takes stringent measures to stop disease from spreading

The move comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) came out with their “Injection Safety Project” that states that 16.7 billion injections are used worldwide, with estimates saying unsafe injections have caused 21 million Hepatitis B and two million Hepatitis C infection globally.

“Along with syringe safety, we also plan to educate health workers on this. A portion of budget will be allocated for procuring locally manufactured syringes,” said principal health secretary (Maharashtra) Sujata Saunik.

WHO estimates claim India sees a yearly burden of 40 million Hepatitis B and six million Hepatitis C cases.

“While the deaths due to HIV and malaria are coming down, Hepatitis deaths are rising,” said Gottfried Hirnschak, director of WHO’s HIV and Hepatitis program. India is also slated to conduct a national project with WHO in Punjab where the incidence of the viral disease is the highest.

Also present at the event was Amitabh Bachchan, ambassador of the Hepatitis campaign in India and a patient of acute liver cirrhosis.

WATCH VIDEO: Amitabh Bachchan Spreads Awareness About Hepatitis On World Hepatitis Day 2016

He said, “It is important to train Anganwadi workers on counselling pregnant women on vaccines after birth. This can help curb mother to child transmission.” The Union health ministry has included vaccination of Hepatitis B disease in its national immunization programme ‘Indradhanus’ along with six other diseases. Three doses of HBV vaccination soon after birth can help prevent the disease infection.

According to NACO deputy director general R C Gupta, attempts are also underway to improve testing facilities in 2,780 blood banks across India in detecting infectious diseases like Hepatitis B, C and HIV.

“In a recent decision, all AIIMS will now have nucleic acid test for reducing window period of Hepatitis and HIV detection,” Gupta said.