Date:30/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/30/stories/2008053058730200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Awareness programme on hepatitis infections

Special Correspondent

Recent concepts in management of hepatitis discussed at a meeting

CHENNAI: An awareness programme on hepatitis infections was organised by the department of Hepatology, Madras Medical College at the Government General Hospital on Thursday.

The meeting was called to discuss recent concepts in management of hepatitis and create awareness of prevention, spread and treatment of such infections.

The awareness campaign will be on for a month.

Speaking on the occasion, Health Secretary V.K.Subburaj said the world over there were 350 million carriers of Hepatitis and between 1 and 2 million die every year of Hepatitis infections.

Since it affected the productive age group (25-45 years) largely, there is substantial economic and productivity loss for nations. Hepatitis A was a water-borne infection and Hepatitis B was transmitted through body fluids. The main ways of preventing infection was to ensure safe drinking water, safe transfusions and injections and modified lifestyles, Mr.Subburaj added.

S.Elango, Additional Director of Public Health, outlined the government strategy for prevention. Hepatitis vaccines were being provided free by the State since January 6, 2008.

In 2003, it was introduced as an experiment in the Chennai Corporation area and in 2004 in four districts — Madurai, Virudhunagar, The Nilgiris and Ramanathapuram.

The success of this vaccination projects in reducing the number of infections was responsible for the government decision to provide universal coverage to all infants in the State. Director of Medical Education T.P.Kalanithi and K.Narayanaswamy, professor of hepatology, MMC, also spoke.