DHARAMSHALA: The Department of Health, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) observed World Hepatitis Day on Thursday by organising an awareness programme on Hepatitis at the Settlement Office hall, McLeod Ganj. The department also organised a free screening for hepatitis B to mark the occasion at Delek branch clinic.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Tenzin Dolkar, Public Health coordinator of Department of Health said, “In the exile Tibetan population, hepatitis B is a major public health problem. The concentration is especially higher in the remote areas of Mewo, Tezu and Ladakh, mainly due to lack of awareness, lack of accurate information and guidance on the symptoms and prevention of hepatitis B. Therefore, Department of Health has initiated campaigns and surveys to plan and implement hepatitis B control initiatives in all the Tibetan communities in exile.”

Dr Sonam Topgyal, Delek hospital presented key facts on the hepatitis B virus infection, common transmission of the virus and geographical concentration of Hepatitis B. He strongly called for coordinated efforts to curb the rising incidence of hepatitis in Tibetan community.

Dr Rinchen Sangmo, Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute gave an indepth presentation on the cause, symptoms, diagnosis and prevention of hepatitis B.

The awareness talk was followed by a free screening at Delek branch clinic, McLeod Ganj.

In 2013, The Department of Health in collaboration with John Hopkins University conducted a prevalence study of hepatitis B among a sample of 2769 people in a Tibetan settlement in South India. As per the findings, the prevalence of hepatitis B has been reported as 8.9% among the Tibetan population in India. The prevalence of hepatitis B is highest in the age group of 35-50 and it is slightly more among males than in females. The study also concluded that prevalence of hepatitis B is lower among those who had previously vaccinated and whose family members are not currently infected.

The World Hepatitis B Day is commemorated every year on 28 July in honor of the birthday of Nobel Laureate Professor Baruch Blumberg, who discovered hepatitis B virus. This day is marked globally to create awareness and understanding about viral hepatitis, its complications and its prevention. Viral Hepatitis can cause both acute and chronic liver conditions, killing a total of about 1.4 million people annually. However, until now, hepatitis has been largely ignored or unknown particularly in developing countries and the underprivileged communities.