Viral Hepatitis : Officials told to prepare action plan to create awareness

• Special Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) Poonam Malakondaiah says the plan should be ready by Nov end
• The educative campaign is being launched as part of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP)

Amaravati: To create awareness on prevention and spread of viral Hepatitis B and C, Special Chief Secretary of Medical and Health Department Poonam Malakondaiah directed the officials to prepare a detailed plan of action by November end.

She held a review meeting with officials at the Secretariat on Friday.

The Central ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with World Health Organizstion (WHO) launched National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) to control viral Hepatitis C, in the country. 

As part of it, Poonam Malakondaiah suggested to the authorities concerned to establish treatment centres at Vizag, Guntur, Kurnool and Tirupati medical colleges.

The NVHCP aims at both prevention and treatment of hepatitis which is among leading causes of liver cancer, cirrhosis of liver and acute liver failure.

Expensive antiviral vaccine for hepatitis B and C infections are being provided free of cost at all government hospitals. 

Safe injection practices and socio-cultural practices, sanitation and hygiene, safe drinking water, infection control and immunisation are some of the best practices which must be adopted to prevent the spread of virus, she said. 

She suggested to officials to conduct tests and provide treatment if they found any virus in any patient in the State.

Under this programme, the government aimed at eliminating the hepatitis B and C viruses in the country by 2030.