Liver diseases to be included in non-communicable diseases programme soon: Nadda

New Delhi: Stressing on spreading awareness about Liver diseases, which account for around 2.5 per cent of total deaths in the country, Minister of Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda gave assurance that the same would be included in the non-communicable diseases programme, in the near future.Speaking during the 27th Annual Conference of the Asia Pacific Association for Study of Liver (APASL) here, Mr Nadda said a full programme on Hepatitis-B would be soon developed with the availability of free drugs, against this deadly virus.

On the occasion, the Minister announced free vaccination against Hepatitis B for all health care workers across the country.Speaking about the active implementation of Hepatitis C programme all over India, the Minister said that free drugs against Hepatitis C will be launched very soon across the country.He further declared to provide support to the International fellows and students, if they wanted to study at the ILBS.Organised in association with the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), the five-day conference witnessed participation from around 3,000 delegates from over 50 countries. 

Held between March 14 to 18, the conference provided new dimensions and approaches in the treatment of liver diseases, a statement said here.Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Deputy Director General of Programmes at WHO was the Guest of Honour at the event, which highlighted novel treatments for advanced Liver Cancer, lifestyle changes related to alarming increase in Liver Diseases, alcohol, muscle as a rescue to Liver, drug-induced Liver injury and Liver failure.

The conference aimed at promoting the latest scientific advancement and education of hepatology science, exchange of information and the development of consensus, encouraging the practice of medicine in liver diseases and also coordinate scientific studies between various scientists and clinicians throughout the region, it added. (UNI)