04 Dec 2010|Noida | Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
"90% of Delhi population still needs to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B Virus”, say experts during “Hepatitis B Awareness Camp”
Government of NCT, Delhi, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), Vasant Kunj together with Amity Group organized “Hepatitis B Awareness Camp” at ILBS, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi to disseminate awareness amongst school students and the general public regarding the deadly disease Hepatitis. The purpose of the Camp was to ‘Cry for a neglected disease which is more lethal than HIV’.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a blood borne and sexually transmitted virus which causes Hepatitis B. Giving the inaugural address the Chief Guest, Honorable Prof Kiran Walia- Health Minister Government of National Capital Territory (GNCT), Delhi stated “Hepatitis, despite being as perilous as HIV, receives inadequate attention in India. Hepatitis is a man made disease.Infection rate of Hepatitis is higher in adults and is more likely to be chronic in infants and young children. Prof. Walia stressed that Hepatitis should be given as much importance as HIV and more and more awareness should be generated about “Yellow Ribbon Campaign”, which aims to disseminate information about Hepatitis amongst the masses Prof. Walia dwelt upon “How to inspire the children to spread the awareness about Hepatitis” and said that she has full faith in the children and youth that they will proactively work in this direction.
Addressing the gathering, the Guest of Honour, Mr. Naveen Jindal- Member of Parliament applauded everyone present for participating in the noble cause of spreading awareness about Hepatitis B. Taking about the grave nature of the disease, Mr. Jindal said that “India, after China, has the second largest number of population suffering from Hepatitis B Virus, which is over 36 million .India needs to be made a Hepatitis free country. The concept of organ donation should be promoted in the country. People should be educated about the importance of organ donation and they should be encouraged to take pledge to donate their organs after death”. He pledged that, as a Member of Parliament, the noble cause of Hepatitis would be taken further by him and he will whole heartedly support Hepatitis Awareness Camps in the country.
Expressing his concern over rapidly spreading fatal disease Hepatitis, Dr. Ashok K Chauhan- Founder President, Amity Group said, “The first step towards prevention of Hepatitis is to generate awareness about the disease on large scale even in the remotest parts of the country. People have very less information about Hepatitis which, surprisingly, kils more people than HIV. Dwelling on the initiatives taken by Amity International Schools and Amity Universities to prevent and check Hepatitis, Dr. Chauhan averred, “Every year,Amity International Schools and Amity Universities observe Hepatitis Day wherein short documentary films on Hepatitis, made by the students of Amity School of Communications with the help of their teachers and faculty members are screened in the schools and Universities, disseminating awareness amongst the students and staff. Competitive events like Quiz, Debate and Poster Competition etc. themed on “Hepatitis” are organized, wherein students participate with full zeal and enthusiasm.” During the inauguration, Dr. Chauhan also announced the launch of “Amity Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control”, which will work pro- actively to disseminate awareness about Hepatitis in the country and will supplement the efforts of the Government in checking the spread of disease.
Delivering the thematic address on “Hepatitis Day – A continued journey”, Dr. S.K Sarin, Director, ILBS said that “this journey is 10 years old and with the contribution of the health department, 2.7 million children have been vaccinated in Delhi.” He advised the audience to carry the message of “ Hepatitis free India” all over the country and become ambassadors to check the spread of Hepatitis in the country, which needs everyone’s contribution.
Sharing his views on the importance of Organ Transplantation in saving the lives with the audience, Prof. Subhash Gupta- Sr. Consultant, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital said that Organ Transplantation is a concept which is not too developed in India and is in its nascent stag. Adding to the problem is the lack of trust between doctors and patients which results in low availability of organ donors in India. Liver, pancreas, kidney, heart and eyes can all be transplanted and the life of the patient can be saved, provided there are organs for transplantation”. He advised and called upon the gathering to promote organ transplantation and body donation to save precious human lives.
Also present during the occasion was, Dr. Ashok Chakradhar- Eminent Poet who tried to raise awareness about Hepatitis through his brilliant and melodious pieces of poetry.
The special features of the Camp were Poster exhibition, Quiz and Debate competition for the school children from Delhi/NCR with an idea to disseminate the awareness and knowledge of the importance pertaining to significance of preventive measures at the grass root level.
Over 16 schools from Delhi & NCT participated in the awareness campaign. Free Hepatitis B Vaccination and health check up camps were also organized during the day. Students from Amity International Schools and students and faculty of Biotechnology, Physical education, Physiotherapy and Pharmacy participated in the campaign and pledged to spread more awareness.