As the World Health Organization (WHO) pushes to eradicate chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections by 2030, and need to halt perinatal mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) becoming increasingly urgent, Delhi-based Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) and the State Government’s Health Department jointly launched a unique programme ‘winning over mothers with Hepatitis B (Womb)’ to spread awareness about the condition.
According to the statistics, of the total Hepatitis B infections in India, at least 20-30 per cent are mother-to-child transmissions with experts warning that in at least 90% of cases, the infected mother transfers the infection to her child.
Marking the 25th year of the ‘yellow ribbon’ campaign, ILBS plans to tie up with the Delhi government to rope in more medical institutes to expand the reach of the programme, Sarin said, stressing on the necessity of Hepatitis B vaccination for new born zero dose plus three doses till 14 weeks of age.
Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar flagged off the campaign to raise awareness regarding vertically transmitted (mother-to-child) hepatitis among the women of reproductive age in Delhi.
The ‘yellow ribbon’ campaign, which was launched in 1998, is meant to increase public awareness about viral hepatitis. This year’s theme was Hepatitis elimination: A social responsibility.
Delhi Director of Family Welfare Dr. Vandana Bagga stressed that no child should be left unimmunized and there was a need to fight the social stigma prevalent among those living with hepatitis while Health Secretary Amit Singla ensured that steps are being taken to eliminate hepatitis B and C from the State.