Launch of a mobile application and 24-hour helpline number on liver, free screening camps, and rally were among the initiatives that were organised by hospital in the city on Thursday to mark World Hepatitis Day.
GEM Hospital and Research Center launched ‘Save Liver for Safe Life’ a mobile application and a 24-hour helpline number 9600953999 to clarify the queries of the public on liver related problems. They were launched in association with the Rotary International.
The app was launched by Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore District R.V. Ramya Bharathi. Hospital sources said that they are feeding information in the application and it will be fully available to the public in a couple of days. The helpline number was declared open by District Director of Rotary International Prakash Angappan.
Speaking at the occasion, hospital chairman C. Palanivelu said that more than 75 per cent liver problems are related to alcohol, viral hepatitis and fatty liver. He added that they are easily preventable. He said that chronic liver problem that was not diagnosed and treated properly may result in cirrhosis and 80 per cent of cirrhotic patients may develop liver cancer. To mark the World Hepatitis Day, the hospital is also conducting a week-long free Hepatitis B vaccination, screening for Hepatitis B and C virus and fibro scan to detect liver damage due to alcohol and hepatitis, according to a press release from the hospital.
Screening for
prison inmates
As part of the observance, a week-long free screening for inmates of the Coimbatore Central Prison was launched on Thursday. The screening is done by VGM Hospital and will cover around 1,850 prison inmates and 300 prison staff. It was inaugurated by the DIG of Prisons R. Arivudainambi and prison superintendent A. Murugesan.
Screening is done by a team of doctor led by VGM Hospital chairman V.G. Mohan Prasad. Dr. Mohan Prasad said that free treatment will be provided to the prisoners infected by Hepatitis B and C virus.
Rally
A rally was organised by Sri Ramakrishna Hospital from Women’s Polytechnic College to VOC Ground to observe World Hepatitis Day on this year’s theme ‘Elimination’.
The chief operating officer of the hospital V. Ramakrishna, chief executive officer C.V. Ramkumar and dean P. Sukumaran participated in the event.
‘Chronic liver problem that was not diagnosed and treated properly may result in cirrhosis’
