World Hepatitis Day 2024: In-Depth Interview with Dr. S K Sarin Part 1

Summary

In this informative video script, Dr. Serin discusses various types of hepatitis, emphasizing the importance of vaccination, particularly for newborns and high-risk groups. He highlights the Yellow Ribbon Campaign's role in raising awareness and the need for societal empathy towards those affected by hepatitis. The script also addresses misconceptions about transmission, the significance of testing and treatment, and the goal of eliminating Hepatitis B by 2030.

Takeaways

• 📌 Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E are different types of viral infections affecting the liver, with A and E being typically acquired through contaminated food or water.
• 👶 Hepatitis A is common in children and often goes unnoticed, while Hepatitis E can affect adults and pregnant women, causing epidemics.
• 🧬 Hepatitis B and C are blood-borne viruses, with B being a DNA virus and C an RNA virus. Hepatitis D only occurs in individuals already infected with Hepatitis B.
• 💉 The yellow ribbon campaign was initiated in 1998 to raise awareness about Hepatitis B, emphasizing the importance of vaccination and prevention.
• 🏥 Dr. Serin, a renowned hepatologist, has been instrumental in promoting hepatitis awareness and vaccination programs in India.
• 👨‍⚕️ Healthcare workers are particularly at risk and should ensure they are vaccinated and have sufficient antibody levels to protect against Hepatitis B.
• 🚫 Hepatitis B is a silent killer that can persist in the body for decades without symptoms, leading to serious complications like liver cancer.
• 👶 The World Health Organization (WHO) aims for 90% birth dose coverage of the Hepatitis B vaccine by 2030 to prevent new infections.
• 💪 Vaccination against Hepatitis B is crucial for newborns and adults alike, providing lifelong protection against the virus.
• 🌐 Stigma associated with Hepatitis B can lead to social isolation and hinders people from getting tested and treated.
• 🌟 Empathy and understanding are vital in supporting those affected by Hepatitis B, with campaigns like 'Empathy Empowering People Against Hepatitis' working to combat stigma.

Q & A

What are the different types of Hepatitis mentioned in the script?

The script mentions Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E as the different types of Hepatitis.

How is Hepatitis A typically contracted?

Hepatitis A is typically contracted through contaminated food or water.

What does the 'e' in Hepatitis E stand for?

The 'e' in Hepatitis E stands for 'epidemic', indicating that it can affect many people at once and is also transmitted through food and water.

What is the primary mode of transmission for Hepatitis B?

The primary mode of transmission for Hepatitis B is from mother to baby, accounting for about 95% of cases.

How does the script describe the nature of Hepatitis C?

The script describes Hepatitis C as an RNA virus that is generally transmitted through injections and other means involving contact with infected blood.

What is the significance of the Yellow Ribbon Campaign mentioned in the script?

The Yellow Ribbon Campaign is a public awareness initiative aimed at raising awareness about Hepatitis B, launched in 1998, and it signifies jaundice and the liver.

What is the importance of the birth dose coverage for Hepatitis B vaccination mentioned by Dr. Serin?

The birth dose coverage for Hepatitis B vaccination is crucial as it provides lifelong protection against the virus, and the WHO target for 2030 is to achieve 90% coverage.

What is the difference between immunization and vaccination as explained by Dr. Serin?

Immunization refers to having antibodies against a disease, while vaccination is the process of receiving a vaccine to stimulate the body to produce those antibodies.

Why is it important for healthcare workers to be immunized against Hepatitis B?

Healthcare workers are at a higher risk of exposure to the Hepatitis B virus due to their work environment, so being immunized ensures they are protected and can prevent the spread of the virus.

What is the impact of Hepatitis B on an individual's health if left untreated?

If left untreated, Hepatitis B can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.

What is the script's message regarding the stigma associated with Hepatitis B?

The script emphasizes the need to eliminate the social stigma associated with Hepatitis B, which often leads to discrimination and isolation of affected individuals, and promotes empathy and support for those living with the disease.

Outlines

00:00

😷 Hepatitis Awareness: Types and Transmission

The paragraph introduces the different types of Hepatitis, focusing on Hepatitis A and E, which are transmitted through contaminated food and water. It emphasizes the silent nature of Hepatitis A in children and the epidemic form of Hepatitis E, particularly affecting pregnant women. The speaker, Dr. Serin, discusses the importance of awareness and prevention, highlighting the Yellow Ribbon Campaign and the goal of achieving 90% birth dose coverage for Hepatitis B vaccination by 2030.

05:00

📚 The Yellow Ribbon Campaign and Hepatitis Education

This section delves into the origin and impact of the Yellow Ribbon Campaign, which was initiated in 1998 to raise awareness about Hepatitis B. The campaign was inspired by two schoolgirls and has since been supported by the government of Delhi, leading to the first newborn vaccination program launched in 2001. The paragraph underscores the significance of public awareness and policy changes in combating Hepatitis.

10:04

🧬 Understanding Hepatitis Viruses: Characteristics and Symptoms

The paragraph discusses the nature of Hepatitis viruses, differentiating between Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. It explains that Hepatitis B and C are transmitted through body fluids and can lead to chronic infections, while Hepatitis D only occurs in the presence of Hepatitis B. The symptoms of Hepatitis B are often silent, and the virus's DNA nature allows it to persist in the body, potentially leading to severe liver diseases like cancer.

15:06

🚨 The Silent Impact of Hepatitis B and the Importance of Vaccination

This section highlights the stealthy progression of Hepatitis B and the critical need for vaccination, especially for newborns and high-risk groups. It emphasizes the importance of testing pregnant women for Hepatitis B to prevent mother-to-child transmission and the necessity of completing the full vaccination course for lifelong protection against the virus.

20:06

🛑 Addressing Misconceptions: Immunization vs. Vaccination

The paragraph clarifies the difference between immunization and vaccination, stressing that vaccination does not automatically equate to full immunization. It discusses the importance of antibody levels in determining immunity and the need for healthcare workers to ensure their own protection against Hepatitis B to effectively care for their patients.

25:12

🌟 A Call to Action: Eradicating Hepatitis B Through Awareness and Vaccination

The final paragraph serves as a call to action, urging all healthcare workers to get their Hepatitis B antibody levels checked and vaccinated if necessary. It also encourages the general public to get vaccinated against Hepatitis B, regardless of age, to prevent the spread of the disease. The paragraph concludes with a pledge to work towards the eradication of Hepatitis B by raising awareness, ensuring vaccinations, and treating those infected.

Keywords

💡Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, often caused by viral infections. In the video, Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E are discussed as different types of hepatitis, each with distinct modes of transmission and impacts on health. The video's theme revolves around raising awareness about these types, their symptoms, prevention, and treatment.

💡Vaccination

Vaccination is the process of receiving vaccines to build immunity against certain diseases. The script emphasizes the importance of vaccination, particularly for Hepatitis B, to protect newborns and prevent the spread of the disease. The video discusses the need for a birth dose and subsequent doses to ensure lifelong protection.

💡Contamination

Contamination refers to the presence of harmful substances or microorganisms that can cause illness. In the context of the video, Hepatitis A and E are mentioned as being transmitted through contaminated food or water, highlighting the importance of hygiene and sanitation in disease prevention.

💡Epidemic

An epidemic is a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease that affects many people within a community at the same time. The script uses the term 'epidemic' to describe the potential for Hepatitis E to spread rapidly, particularly in situations with poor sanitation or during certain weather conditions like the rainy season.

💡DNA Virus

A DNA virus is a type of virus that has DNA as its genetic material. Hepatitis B is identified as a DNA virus in the script, which explains its ability to survive in various conditions and its persistence in the body, potentially leading to chronic infection.

💡RNA Virus

An RNA virus is a virus that has RNA as its genetic material. Hepatitis C is described as an RNA virus in the video, which is generally more fragile than DNA viruses and can be inactivated by temperature changes, but still poses a significant health risk if transmitted.

💡Immunization

Immunization refers to the process of becoming immune to a disease, typically through vaccination. The script differentiates between vaccination and immunization, noting that while vaccination is the act of receiving a vaccine, immunization is the state of having antibodies that confer protection against a disease.

💡Stigma

Stigma is a mark of disgrace associated with a person or situation. In the video, stigma is associated with Hepatitis B, where people may be unfairly judged or marginalized due to misconceptions about the disease's transmission, leading to social isolation and reluctance to seek testing or treatment.

💡Yellow Ribbon Campaign

The Yellow Ribbon Campaign is an initiative mentioned in the script that aims to raise awareness about Hepatitis B. It signifies the color of jaundice, a symptom associated with hepatitis, and is used as a symbol to promote education and prevention efforts.

💡Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers are professionals who provide healthcare services, such as doctors and nurses. The video script emphasizes the importance of healthcare workers being immunized against Hepatitis B to protect themselves and their patients, as well as the need for them to promote vaccination and testing within their communities.

💡Public Awareness

Public awareness refers to the general public's knowledge and understanding of a particular issue. The video's main message is to raise public awareness about hepatitis, its prevention, and the importance of vaccination, testing, and treatment to reduce the impact of the disease globally.

Highlights

Hepatitis A and E are primarily spread through contaminated food and water, affecting children and adults respectively.

Hepatitis B, C, and D are transmitted through body fluids, with B being predominantly mother-to-child.

Hepatitis B is a DNA virus that can survive in extreme temperatures, unlike the fragile RNA virus Hepatitis C.

Almost 90% of Indian children are estimated to have had Hepatitis A due to poor hygiene practices.

Hepatitis B can remain silent in the body for decades before causing severe symptoms like liver cancer.

The Yellow Ribbon Campaign was initiated in 1998 to raise awareness about Hepatitis B.

Delhi became the first state in India to launch a newborn Hepatitis B vaccination program in 2001.

India's current coverage for the Hepatitis B birth dose vaccine is only about 40%, far from the WHO target of 90% by 2030.

Healthcare workers are urged to ensure they are immunized against Hepatitis B to protect themselves and their patients.

Adults of any age should consider getting vaccinated against Hepatitis B, not just newborns.

Hepatitis C can take 20 to 30 years to develop into a disease after infection.

People who received blood transfusions or surgeries before 1999 are advised to get tested for Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis A in adulthood can cause severe symptoms and may require a liver transplant.

Hepatitis E can cause epidemics, especially affecting pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems.

The stigma associated with Hepatitis B can lead to social marginalization and hinder treatment and awareness.

An empathy campaign aims to support and empower people against Hepatitis, reducing social stigma.

The goal is to eliminate Hepatitis B by treating infected individuals and vaccinating newborns.

Transcripts

this is Hepatitis A B C D and E so a CH

only is small little finger is for the

children hepatitis A occurs in kids so

you will never forget it it comes by

food contaminated food or water and you

ingest and the liver gets the insulting

virus it swells up and has jness the

second important is

e child hood mature you get Hepatitis E

and this is also a virus which is by

Food Water contamination and all that it

is an epidemic e means think about

epidemic form of virus affects pregnant

women other people so now knowing about

A and E are food Bor and water Bor now

what about the other three the hepatitis

b c and d hepatitis A is very

interesting dise did you get Hepatitis A

I'm sure you would have had all Indian

children have it when you are a small

kid you get Hepatitis you said

childhood you must not have noticed so

almost 90% of Indian children would have

Hepatitis A because it comes from a

school unless you're carrying your water

bottle with you and you're not eating

out at all you are so hygiene conscious

maybe you are then you may not get it

but most people people in villages

cities will have it's a silent disease

when it comes it has advances like

fibrosis therosis liver cancer so of all

the patients with hepatitis B about 1%

to 5% get liver cancer every year

hepatitis C 2% to

5% this is a wh Target for 20130 that

birth dose coverage should become

90% are you immunized or

[Music]

vaccinated hello everyone my name is

siman CH and I welcome you all on behalf

of voice of healthcare to a wonderful

special initiative where we raise

awareness on public health issues today

as we Mark World hepatitis day 2024 with

this we aim to raise awareness on this

disease on the special occasion with we

have our guest Dr s serin sir does not

need an introduction but just for the

sake of this interview and the formality

which we have to do for public I'll

introduce sir uh sir is the director of

Institute of liver and buery Sciences

president of National Academy medical

Sciences a clinician a gastrologist

hepatologist and also a padmabhushan

awarde Welcome to our show sir thank you

siman thank you for inviting

me thank you so much sir for taking our

time for this uh special initiative to

raise public Awareness on health issues

uh we know that the amount of work you

have done in this your dedication of

preventing and treating hepatitis is uh

is a commitment which is shown to all

public out there your campaign like uh

yellow ribbon campaign with the rooll to

hepatitis vaccination program

exemplifies your commitment for this

role thanks a lot for this sir I would

like to start the discussion with you by

knowing and letting us know our uh

audience about what exactly is Hepatitis

what are its symptoms treatments

available side effects as we want to

know in leand terms and you are the best

person to tell us about that well thank

you siman and siman is a very familiar

name it looks like a name from the movie

ddlt and uh Shrea thanks for coming over

all the way and being part of this uh

public awareness so let me first start

with the yellow ribbon

campaign now we were trying to raise

awareness about Hepatitis B and I got a

mail in 1998 eight from two girls one

was in class 7th and one was in class

9th from

Mumbai to join a International

Conference which we were doing and I was

intrigued I said why these young girls

and the students are coming of course

their mother was a doctor so these girls

came from Mumbai all the way traveled in

the train in the night and they brought

two

ribbons for

me and uh that time jet Milani s was

there as the law Minister one for Ram

Jet Milani so they pinned it on and I

asked the incentives and just like and I

suddenly

realized that you know the the student

Community is amongst the best community

they get ideas brighter than any one of

us and therefore on the same day we got

100 6 700 yellow ribbons made and that

was the launch of the yellow ribbon

campaign in Delhi about 15 years before

the wh the wh World hepatitis day is

July 28th started in

2010 on the birth of uh uh Dr Bloomberg

who discovered Hepatitis B but we

started this campaign of yellow ribbon

of hepatitis awareness in 1998 thanks to

the those two girls and that is on

December 4 December 1 is 's day December

4 is the day where Delhi has been

celebrating or rather

observing uh hepatitis awareness day so

this is the

story and uh I think the yellow ribbon

signifies jaundice liver in some way and

I'm very thankful that the government of

Delhi supported and we continued but why

are we talking about all this

it makes a difference yes it does make

in 98 when the yellow riban campaign was

there we had Dr haran as the delhi's

health Minister he took it to the

president of India Dr Narayan who said

wearing a cap I may show you some of

those pictures hepatitis is an important

problem and we should try and get

Tri Sheila diit G was chief minister

Delhi and Delhi became the first in 2001

to launch the newborn vaccination

program on 15th August 2001 followed one

day later by Sim and that was the

journey that started and then the

Planning Commission the then uh Dr CP

takur was the health Minister and the

public awareness at bhari G released a

stamp and so the what I'm saying is

these observations of these days is does

make a difference in the minds of public

and the policy makers yes sir now your

question on of hepatitis and why we

should do about it so let's look at

these five fingers to all the

viewers shre are you seeing them clearly

yes sir yes he is our cameraman he's a

traine I'm told in the Trinity College

and sha is with us so five finger sorry

four fingers one th this is Hepatitis A

B C D and E so a chyi is small little

finger is for the children hepatitis A

occurs in kids so you will never forget

it it comes by food contaminated food or

water and you ingest and the liver gets

the insulting virus it swells up and has

chice the second important is e

adulthood mature you get Hepatitis E and

this is also a virus which is by Food

Water contamination and all that it is

an epidemic e means think about epidemic

form of virus affects pregnant women

other people so now knowing about A and

E are food Bond and water Bond now what

about the other three the hepatitis b c

and d the B you all know is generally

mother to baby almost 95% is Mother Baby

hepatitis C is generally injections and

other so both B and C are by body fluids

and by you know uh transmission from man

to man or woman to

woman and D is a virus which piggybacks

on the B hepatitis Delta as it is called

only occurs when Hepatitis B is there

now everyone you know about the Corona

virus yes sir which type of virus is it

RNA or DNA RNA everyone knows now RNA

DNA so let me tell you Hepatitis B is a

DNA virus okay hepatitis C is an RNA

virus RNA virus is are very fragile you

put them into temperature and the virus

dies in a very short time but Hepatitis

B is a DNA virus it survives it will

survive daily eat 50° for weeks together

it will survive your refrigerator for

maybe minus 80 refrigerator for a week

or two It Never Dies why I'm saying this

if you have a hospital where there are

patients who have got blood and they are

infected with hepatitis B and their

blood is now on the railing on

somewhere then the next person come

comes healthcare worker or a patient who

has a cut he has his hand there and you

can get the infections there so

Hepatitis B is a very sturdy virus it is

unless properly

sterilized the virus doesn't die and

therefore everyone healthcare workers

have to remember it then your question

was about what are these symptoms and

how do these viruses occur

you know Gandhi g said if you slap you

put your things what body

does in Hepatitis B the slap it takes is

the virus comes but body accepts it

because it comes from mother to the baby

like you get your nose you are an army

officer's daughter Air Force Air Force

officer daughter as you told me so you

get all those genes from your parents

so these things the virus also comes

from mother and the baby's system

accepts it and it doesn't Revolt what

does it mean if you get Hepatitis B from

mother and the baby has it the rest of

the life the body accepted at its

own the body does not fight it

accepts now what does it mean these

people will remain silent it will be a

silent killer for

ages so how do you know whether this

patient is going to develop disease why

are some people developing disease

that's a different story but the mode of

transmission is mother to baby generally

and it remains silent so all those who

have ladies who are likely to deliver

they should all be tested for hepatitis

B and think that everyone is infected

think so every newborn must be

vaccinated so you can protect but now

let's see those who have got Hepatitis B

over a period of time let's say 20 years

30 years now body says there is

something funny we must get this virus

out and the activity starts we call it

immune active State till then it is

immune tolerant State we tolerate but 20

years in some people 15 years in some

people 50 years the immune active state

starts the people get jaundice and they

may get

problems and out of 100 people 10 will

have immune active uh injury State the

remaining 90 may

continue now those who get immune active

State 1 to 10% of them will develop

cancers and others but even immune

tolerant can develop so Hepatitis B is a

disease which is because of a DNA virus

it persists and most often we come to

know about it when you have symptoms and

symptoms are in the form of jaundice or

swelling or Advanced Li

disease now hepatitis A and E both are

acute viruses

just

motions similarly hepatis A and E will

they will cause symptoms and maybe four

to 6 weeks after you have taken

something funny

then you get loss of

appetite sometimes you have vomiting

nausea and then you get jaundice and

other things but hepatitis A is very

interesting disease did you get

Hepatitis A no I'm sure you would have

had it all Indian children have it when

you are a small kid you get Hepatitis

you said

childhood you must not have noticed so

almost 90% % of Indian children would

have Hepatitis A because it comes from a

school unless you're carrying your water

bottle with you and you're not eating

out at all you are so hygiene conscious

maybe you are then you may not get it

but most people in villages cities will

have and this spontaneously goes away

four 5 days like any viral fever

hepatitis A goes away but if you got

hepatitis A in

adulthood maybe after 25 30 years then

it is a serious disease then it can

cause liver failure severe jaundice

itching uh sometimes people even need

liver transplants and all that and same

is true of Hepatitis E it's an acute

infection Suppose there is a rainy

season like this so there is some

excreta from an infected person all the

people will get infect the whole village

like kpur had like 70,000 people Delhi

19 56 had almost 40 50,000 people who

got Hepatitis E so now with the better

quality of Water Sanitation hygiene we

don't get Hepatitis C but if it is there

it is a serious problem especially in

pregnant women so now you know all about

hepati now hepatitis

C hepatitis C is by needles injections

and blood before

99 India was not testing the virus was

discovered in ' 89 and from 99 most

blood banks have started so now our

blood is generally safe it doesn't have

B it doesn't have C but for people who

got blood transfusion and I want all of

you to who are listening please remember

please accept this those who got blood

transfusion surgeries operations heart

coronaries or any procedure before 99 do

get your tested for hepatitis C because

there was no such testing now

fortunately we are safe but if your

hepatitis C positive you have remained

it takes 20 to 30 years before disease

occurs it's a very slow disease process

so oh what happens I have got hepatitis

C but if you have got it get tested get

the RNA done like for Corona it's an RNA

virus so if you have got it you have to

get it

it's a silent disease when it comes it

has advances like fibrosis curosis liver

cancer so of all the patients with

hepatitis B about 1% to 5% get liver

cancer every year hepatitis C 2% to 5%

get liver

cancer have I told you everything

everything sir all right the kind of

information we got from you is I think

now it's clear to all our audience what

exactly hepatitis types of hepatitis and

how it gets transmitted most importantly

yes so I think we are aware of hepatitis

now so moving on to my next question uh

uh we know how extensively IBS is

working so before IBS let me tell you

more about Hepatitis B because this is

important see Hepatitis B is transmitted

from mother to the baby

what India needs is to

ensure that the babies are

protected so in India the coverage for a

birth dose vaccine is just about

40% we need four dosages of vaccine for

the newborn at Birth within a day 24

hours at 6 weeks 10 weeks and 14 weeks

so everyone please remember remember

four dosages are required and this is a

who Target for

2030 that birth dose coverage should

become

90% in India most deliveries are

institutional 79 80% are in the

hospitals or dispensaries or so but our

birth dose is only 40% or so so what I

want to urge is that everyone who

delivers a baby must certainly get the

newborn baby must must be given the

vaccine and the vaccine is so good the

corona vaccine there was so much debate

yes

sir Hepatitis B no such questions it is

so effective if you give it to the baby

lifelong protection it's almost 100% And

the advantage is it is cheap and it is

given free by the

government even if it is not available

sometimes you are far off what happens

500 rupes 1,000 rupees so vaccines are

you vaccinated I I believe so but put

vaccination course Hepatitis

B ah so this is the important thing this

is are you vaccinated sh yes sir so

first question are you immunized or

vaccinated okay so the difference

between immunization and vaccination I

want to

explain vaccination is not equivalent to

immunization immunization means I have

antibodies antibody

level you know you understand but in

Hepatitis B everyone who gets the

newborn will be

immunized because they have no other

problem but people who are drinking

alcohol obese or diabetic or maybe above

50 or healthcare workers and others in

them immunization is only in about 90

95% 5% are not there so remember all of

you should get antibody level done

once especially healthcare workers that

I am immunized Number Two healthcare

workers doctors nurses they think oh

nothing can happen to me they are just

not careful so I'll give you some data

that healthcare workers in Delhi

especially only 40 to 45% have all three

dosages in adults you need three dosage

zero for 1 month later and then 6 months

later why do we give this Gap because

body cells get used to how do we make a

hepatitis B vaccine let me tell you one

portion of the virus the surface protein

is taken and antibodies are raised so

when you get a vaccine it is a very

tinal part of the protein of the virus

you give it body thinks it is Hepatitis

B it makes antibodies so when you get a

vaccine you are protected so in

Hepatitis B unfortunately healthcare

workers are not so well vaccinated to my

message on this hepatitis day is you

will not touch a

patient my dear healthcare workers you

will not touch a patient unless your

antibodies are enough it means you're

immunized it means your antibody level

is about 10 but it is always better to

have a bank balance so keep your

antibody level above 100 if it is not

above 100 get another shot be strong

against Hepatitis B and then you can

tell your patient look I am immunized

against Hepatitis

B hope that makes a difference a lot sir

one last thing on

immunization everybody should get

hepatitis B vaccine it is a myth that

only children should newborn should get

it tomorrow suppose you you need a blood

transfusion you need a surgery then you

can't get immunized you need 6 months

you have a knee problem you have a

fracture somebody not you then it is

always better that every single adult

every single adult has been immunized

against Hepatitis B whatever is your age

maybe you're 80 still take it doesn't

matter so you at least know this deadly

virus which kills almost 1.3 million

people across the world I am not going

to die due to Hepatitis B neither my

friends nor my relatives is that right

yes so let's take a

pledge you on 28th of July 2024 all

healthc care workers will get their

immunization levels above 100 antibodies

and all Indians adults will get their

vaccination complete and all newborns

will be having four dosages of hepatitis

B vaccine including birth

dose is right so we have a pledge now

all right we will work on this yes

sir and I think the impact uh these

vaccinations actually make on global

level to people it helps us eradicate

the disease from the root yes you're

protected see how do you eliminate a

disease how do you eliminate one those

who are infected remove get the virus

out of them treat them second those who

are likely to be born protect them so if

you protect all new borns the next

generation is healthy all those who are

infected and there are

29 lakhs approximately three uh how much

is uh 3 CR is how much is 30 million

almost 30 million Indians are with

hepatitis

B it used to be uh 4.5 CRS now it is

about 30 million is the

estimate and if 30 million are suffering

from this if you treat them this is the

pool these are the infected people but

they don't know only coverage for

treatment only awareness or detection in

India is about 15% of the 30 million

only 15% have been detected 85 don't

know their

status and of those who are detected 3%

have been

treated so imagine a tenis how can you

eliminate a disease so through you

through this voice of health care we

would like everyone to do the

following the following means whenever

you go to a hospital or on your birthday

or on your health checkup get Hepatitis

B tested if you are positive

unfortunately get treated it is not you

who have got the virus you got it from

your mother mother got it from her

mother so don't get scared number two

all those who have infection of

hepatitis B already their family members

must get tested simple logic

all the relatives in the family should

get Hepatitis B testing normal

percentage maybe 2% 1% of hepatitis but

in the family it can be 20% so

immediately we find out all those who

are infected now we have to treat them

so don't be scared now the problem is

the

stigma hepatis B

I mean they are marginalized this in in

them but why is the

myth because you Club it with HIV people

think this is sexual transmission

Hepatitis B this fellow must have done

something wrong the wife is not very

pure the husband is something so this

social stigma

prevents people to disclose prevents

people to accept they can't tell to

their bosses in their workplaces they

can't tell to their wives if the wife

tells to the husband the wife is sent

home so what I want to say Do not punish

people who are

already punished in a way because they

got it you can't choose your mother you

got it from your mother what can you do

so one of the messages is that we should

have uh you know a kind of empathy with

them and we run a campaign called

empathy empowering people against

hepatitis we are running it from 2018

it's a program which I feel happy it was

it used to be done in the parliament of

India for last 4 years every year they

do in Parliament it is just to give the

voice to the people to confidence to the

people you are not at fault you are

saying we should embrace them with

warmth

and to detect those who have Hepatitis B

I would recommend all of you to get

tested anybody who's going for any

surgery or anything should get tested

all the family members those who have

got dialysis or those who have others

should also get tested so if you know

the pool of infected treat them finished

those who are getting born if they are

protected you can eliminate hepatitis it

is simple and I think it if you

understand standing is clear and the

society whole of society approach is

there to accept them support them the

leaders are

bold that's great and and like sir said

it it all comes from the understanding

the awareness which we are doing with

the help of Dr Serene to raise awareness

about hepatitis and there's no need to

be scared of that it will be transmitted

like way if you're working you're eating

together or something like that

everything has a solution get it

vaccinated get it eradicated get it

eliminated from your body and slowly and

gradually your country will eradicate uh

Hepatitis B and it will impact on global

level as well yes we will thank you

thank you sir