Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that the Delhi Government is committed to protecting every citizen from the risk of viral hepatitis.
Speaking on the occasion of 23rd Hepatitis Day, he said that with the onslaught of corona pandemic, health has become an even more serious concern, and that we need to be more health conscious.
“We also need to ensure serious efforts are being taken to deal with hepatitis like diseases. Hence, it would be useful to include it in the school curriculum to bring health awareness since childhood, and pay special attention to our 'body' and 'mind' along with physical and economic matters,” Sisodia said.
Hepatitis Day’s virtual event was organised today at the Delhi Secretariat. In addition to doctors and medical staff from various hospitals, 700 children from 31 schools took part online. The Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences organised the event on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Government of Delhi. The staff of ILBS's Vasant Kunj campus also attended it virtually.
Sisodia extended his compliments to Director ILBS Dr Shiv Kumar Sarin and ILBS team for their untiring efforts towards prevention, cure and creating mass awareness on Viral Hepatitis.
“The Health Department and the team of ILBS have fought vigorously against hepatitis for 23 years. For this, phase-1 of HEPiSCHOOL Programme in cooperation with the Education Department was launched last year to further spread awareness in schools, through various health talks. Due to this, many lives have been saved,” Sisodia said. At the event, Phase -2 of the HEPiSCHOOL Campaign was launched to further intensify awareness in schools.
Sisodia also congratulated ILBS on their persistent fight in the ongoing Covid crisis.
At the virtual event, Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain talked about how the liver, being a major organ of the body, needs special care but negligence often causes liver damage giving way to severe illnesses.
Jain also congratulated the ILBS team for setting up the world's first plasma bank in Delhi, joining them in fighting the corona crisis.
Chief Secretary and Chairman, ILBS Vijay Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary, Health and Finance Department Sandeep Kumar, and Family Welfare Director Dr Monica Rana were also present at the virtual event.
Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev complimented the students and stated that they have been the biggest force in getting various campaigns of social welfare successfully implemented over the years.