Bhubaneswar: Apollo Hospitals, one of Asia’s largest integrated healthcare provider, today organized a campaign to spread awareness on the menace of Hepatitis. The campaign was kick started at 7am today from the hospital premises with a massive Walkathon which originated at the hospital with the objective of spreading the message of this year’s theme – ELIMATE HEPATITIS amongst the citizens. The Walkathon was flagged of by Honorable Mayor of Bhubaneswar, Shri. Ananta Narayan Jena in presence of Shri Sanjaya Kumar Sethi (Corporator, Ward -12, Bhubaneswar), Mr. Sudhir M Diggikar, Regional CEO, Odisha & Chhattisgarh region, Dr( Brig) Biraj Mohan Mishra, Medical Superintendent, Apollo Hospitals, Bhubaneswar & Dr.Susanta Sethi , Sr. Consultant (Gastroenterology).
“AS Hepatitis assumes alarming proportions across the State during monsoon, health experts have warned people to be watchful of not just what they eat and drink, but also take sufficient care of liver” said Honorable Mayor, Shri Ananta Narayan Jena. He also congratulated Apollo Hospitals for it’s efforts in spreading this awareness through the Walkathon.
Addressing the participants, Mr. Sudhir M Diggikar, Regional CEO, Apollo Hospitals, said “ World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on 28 July and brings the world together under a single theme to raise awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis and to influence real change. One of just four disease-specific global awareness days officially endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), this day unites all of us in our fight against viral hepatitis.” He also announced the launch of Health check packages aimed at identifying early symptoms of the disease at a nominal cost for all patients willing to get themselves screened for this deadly disease.
Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist Dr Sushant Sethi said, sometimes people mistake jaundice to be hepatitis but that is just manifestation of the disease. Swollen liver is a pre-symptom of the disease. Hepatitis E and A are avoidable with precaution, he said.Apart from emphasising on food and drinking water, people should remain alert while sourcing blood from blood banks. Family members of patients should check whether the blood has undergone tests for infections such as hepatitis and HIV.
“People requiring frequent blood transfusions need to check with blood banks whether it has undergone new-generation tests, including fourth-generation ELISA and other antibody tests. Nucleic acid test (NAT) helps prevent transfusion transmitted infections. Hepatitis B, C and HIV are most common infections that can be contracted via infected blood,” he warned.
The event culminated at the hospital at 9 am after covering almost 4 kilometers and spanning 2 hours through major intersections of the city. The objective of spreading awareness being fulfilled, the participants were congratulated by one and all for their herculean efforts.
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