Archive · 29 Jul 2026
AIIMS Experts Urge Early Hepatitis Screenings to Prevent Deaths
Doctors at AIIMS in Delhi say many people with liver disease don't feel sick until it's too late.
They want more people to get tested early to prevent serious problems like liver cancer.
India has a lot of hepatitis cases, especially types B and C. These can be spread through blood and unsafe practices.
There are treatments that work well, especially for hepatitis C. The doctors also warn about other liver problems from too much alcohol, bad diets, and not exercising.
They say everyone should take care of their liver by eating healthy, staying active, and avoiding things that can hurt the liver.
AIIMS experts warn that liver disease often progresses silently until severe damage occurs.
India has a high burden of viral hepatitis, with 40 million people living with chronic hepatitis B and 6-12 million with hepatitis C.
Early screening and diagnosis are crucial for preventing complications like cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Hepatitis C can be cured in over 95% of patients with a three-month course of antiviral medicines.
Non-viral liver diseases, such as fatty liver disease, are rising due to unhealthy lifestyles.
- Who
- Experts from AIIMS, Delhi
- What
- Urging wider screening and early diagnosis of hepatitis
- When
- On World Hepatitis Day, July 28
- Where
- India
- Why
- To curb the heavy burden of viral hepatitis and prevent liver damage
Proactive Screening Advocates
Resource Allocation Concerns
Importance of Early Detection
Proactive Screening Advocates
Early screening is crucial for preventing severe liver damage and reducing mortality rates.
Resource Allocation Concerns
Limited healthcare resources may not support widespread screening programs.
- Global Hepatitis Burden
- India accounts for nearly 12% of the global burden of viral hepatitis.
- Hepatitis B Prevalence
- 40 million people in India live with chronic hepatitis B.
- Hepatitis C Prevalence
- 6-12 million people in India are chronically infected with hepatitis C.
- World Hepatitis Day
- Observed annually on July 28.
- Hepatitis C Cure Rate
- Over 95% of patients can be cured with a three-month course of antiviral medicines.
- Fatty Liver Disease Prevalence
- Nearly 38% of Indians have fatty liver disease.
- Acute Liver Failure Mortality
- Mortality rate exceeds 50% for acute liver failure cases.