Nagaland joined the global observance of World Hepatitis Day 2025 on July 28 under the theme “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down”, with awareness and screening programs held across districts. (Correspondent)
Kohima
KOHIMA: In Kohima, the programme to mark the day was held at the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare (DH&FW).
Delivering the keynote address, Principal Director DH&FW, Dr. Mereninla Senlem, highlighted the significance of the day, which commemorates the birthday of Nobel laureate Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed its vaccine. She said the observance is a call to dismantle barriers—financial, social, and systemic—that hinder hepatitis elimination and liver cancer prevention.
Dr. Senlem informed that hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused mainly by viral infections, with five types—A, B, C, D, and E. Symptoms range from mild flu-like signs to severe liver damage, cirrhosis, and cancer. She urged individuals, partners, and the public to take proactive steps and support the cause.
Mission Director, National Health Mission, Dr. Avilie Zao, in her speech, shared the hepatitis infection scenario in Nagaland. She stated that in 2024–25, hepatitis B infection stood at 2.4%, hepatitis C at 4.01%, and hepatitis B among pregnant women at 0.8%. Dimapur recorded the highest prevalence, possibly due to its cosmopolitan population.
Dr. Zao informed that screening for hepatitis B & C is available in all government hospitals and Health & Wellness Centres. Free viral load testing and treatment are provided in District Hospitals. She added that hepatitis B vaccination will be available free of cost for all infants under Routine Immunization, and hepatitis B immunoglobulin is provided for infants born to hepatitis B positive mothers.
She called on all pregnant women to undergo hepatitis B testing during antenatal care and urged collective action to fight the virus locally.
The programme was chaired by Dr. M. Nukshisangla Jamir, State Nodal Officer, National Viral Hepatitis Program.
A similar event was also held in Kohima, where Kripa Foundation, in partnership with NSVHCP, NHM, and the Department of Health & Family Welfare, organised a program at its Drop-In Centre, D Block, Kohima.
Director Abou Mere emphasized India’s commitment to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030, in line with SDG target 3.3. He called for scaling up harm reduction strategies, including Low Dead Space Needles (LDSN) and Long Acting Depot Buprenorphine (LADB), to protect high-risk groups such as injecting drug users.
Kholi Kayina, speaking on behalf of WHO, stressed the urgency of removing barriers like stigma and financial constraints to improve access to hepatitis care. He noted that chronic hepatitis B and C remain silent threats, often leading to liver cancer if untreated.
The programs concluded with free hepatitis testing, reinforcing the message that early detection and treatment are key to saving lives.
Mokokchung
JMC, Mokokchung: Jubilee Memorial College (JMC), in collaboration with the Medical Department, Mokokchung, conducted an awareness-cum-screening program for Hepatitis B and C. Senior Medical Officer, IMDH, Dr. Kilangwabang Pongener, spoke on causes, prevention, and the importance of early detection.
Peer Educator Rongsen Jamir, under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program, shared his personal experience with hepatitis. Free screening was provided to students and staff.
Wokha
WOKHA: At the CMO’s Conference Hall, Wokha, the day was marked with an awareness program led by Dr. Chumdemo Kikon, Medicine Specialist, District Hospital Wokha. He highlighted the dangers of hepatitis, its transmission routes, and the importance of early treatment. Over 3,000 individuals have received free testing and treatment at the hospital since 2021. CMO Wokha, Dr. Thungchanbemo Ezung, delivered the keynote, commemorating Nobel Laureate Dr. Baruch Samuel Blumberg, who discovered the Hepatitis B virus.