Dr Mereninla Senlem, centre, addresses the gathering during the World Hepatitis Day at IDSP Hall in Kohima on July 28. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, July 28 (MExN): The Nagaland Department of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday observed World Hepatitis Day with a call for greater awareness, early diagnosis and stronger community participation to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat.
The state-level programme, held at the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) Hall in Kohima under the theme "Let's Break It Down", also joined the national virtual observance inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel.
Presenting the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) scenario in Nagaland, NHM Director Dr Theyo said Kohima, Dimapur and Mon districts have reported the highest burden of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C cases, while Hepatitis B positivity among pregnant women is highest in Dimapur and Kohima.
He said screening, diagnosis and treatment services under the NVHCP have expanded significantly since the programme's rollout, improving access to hepatitis care across the state.
Referring to this year's theme, Dr Theyo said "Let's Break It Down" calls for removing barriers such as stigma, lack of awareness and unequal access to healthcare that prevent people from seeking timely diagnosis and treatment. He urged stakeholders to strengthen awareness on prevention, screening, vaccination and treatment while ensuring government health services reach all eligible beneficiaries.
Principal Director of Health and Family Welfare Dr Mereninla Senlem congratulated the state's NVHCP for its national-level performance despite financial, logistical and infrastructure constraints.
She said stigma and lack of awareness remain among the biggest challenges in eliminating hepatitis and stressed the need for sustained public education and community engagement.
Dr Senlem said hepatitis diagnosis and treatment services, initially available only at district hospitals following the launch of the NVHCP in 2019, have now been expanded to many Primary Health Centres, making services more accessible.
She said free screening, diagnosis and treatment have significantly reduced the financial burden on patients, particularly those from economically weaker sections.
Calling for stronger Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, she urged health workers to utilise all forms of media to improve awareness, promote screening and encourage timely treatment.
She also stressed the need to strengthen infection prevention and control practices, improve endoscopy and colonoscopy services, and integrate hepatitis services with other public health programmes, including HIV services, to achieve the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis.
Meanwhile, World Hepatitis Day was also observed in Wokha and Phek districts.
At Wokha, the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme organised an awareness programme at Dr Motsuo Memorial District Hospital.
District Nodal Officer Dr Abenthung Murry said hepatitis is caused by viral infections that can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. He explained that Hepatitis A and E spread mainly through contaminated food and water, while Hepatitis B and C are transmitted through infected blood, organ transplantation, sexual contact and from mother to child during birth.
He urged people to avail themselves of free government testing and treatment services and highlighted the importance of Hepatitis B vaccination for newborns. He also called on the community to overcome stigma, misinformation and fear associated with the disease.
Free hepatitis screening and vaccination services were organised following the programme.
In Phek district, health officials observed the day at the Chief Medical Officer's Conference Hall under the same theme.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Chitale Hiese highlighted the importance of raising awareness on hepatitis prevention, testing and treatment.
Theme speaker Dr Shasinle Tep described hepatitis as a "silent killer", noting that infected individuals often remain asymptomatic while the disease gradually damages the liver.
She urged high-risk groups, including people with chronic liver and kidney diseases, to get vaccinated and informed participants that free screening and vaccination services are available at government health facilities.
As part of the observance, a mass screening and vaccination camp was organised, while Peer Educator Mutuhu presented the district's Hepatitis B and C scenario from April 2025 to June 2026.
