Staff takes pledge as part of HepatitisAwareness Week

Imphal, Jan 21
A pledge taking ceremony as part of 'Hepatitis Awareness Week' was organised by Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport today.
A press release issued by advocacy coordinator of Project EMPATHY stated that over 200 employees along with their families and airlines staff availed the benefit of the campaign including free test for Hepatitis B & C and vaccination against Hepatitis B.
The ILBS team organized an awareness talk to sensitize and educate Imphal Airport management and staff on various aspects of Hepatitis B & C.
S Senthil Valavan, Airport Director, Imphal; Dr Rosie Kumari, Sr Nodal Officer, NVHCP, Imphal and Dr Neeraj Raizada, Assistant Professor-Epidemiology, and PI (Project Empathy), ILBS were present on the occasion.
Dr Neeraj Raizada, while addressing the gathering, underlined the importance of screening of Hepatitis B & C.
To address the problem of Hepatitis B & C, ILBS has undertaken a comprehensive program, namely, “Empowering People Against Hepatitis: The EMPATHY Campaign”, to generate awareness on Hepatitis B and C across India through multi-pronged advocacy strategies for improving healthcare seeking behaviour, he added.
Following this, all staff also extended their support by sharing their pledge for the cause.
About 60 million Indians are inflicted with Hepatitis B and C virus infections which are responsible for Liver Cirrhosis and Cancer.
Majority harbouring the infection are undiagnosed and unaware of their status. While several initiatives are currently being undertaken by the Government under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program to improve access to vaccines, diagnostics and treatment for such individuals and those at risk. However, the stigma and consequent discrimination associated with these infections is a significant hindrance to care-seeking, compliance and mainstreaming, as often the infected do not want to be identified for the fear of social isolation, added the statement.
It can be recalled that 'Hepatitis Awareness Week' was launched by ILBS in association with Airports Authority of India on January 18.