World Hepatitis Day, observed every year on July 28th, is a critical global campaign aimed at raising awareness about viral hepatitis and advocating for actions to combat this liver disease. In India, hepatitis continues to be a major public health challenge, affecting millions of lives. Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd, as an organization, is actively creating awareness about hepatitis, its prevalence in India, and the precautions that can be taken to safeguard against this silent threat.
The Burden of Hepatitis in India
Hepatitis, a group of infectious diseases that cause liver inflammation, is classified into various variants, including Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A and E are primarily transmitted through contaminated food and water, while Hepatitis B can be transmitted by sexual contact, sharing needle, syringes, injection equipment’s, tattoos, body piercing, blood transfusion and can also pass from mother to baby during childbirth. Hepatitis C is spread through infected blood, often observed among intravenous drug users. The consequences of Hepatitis B and C can be severe, leading to chronic infections, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even fatalities. Alarmingly, a significant number of individuals remain undiagnosed and untreated, further exacerbating the health crisis in India.
Ziqitza Healthcare’s Initiatives
Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd, a distinguished healthcare institution in India, is committed to combating hepatitis through proactive awareness initiatives. Our approach revolves around bringing hepatitis care closer to the communities, focusing on people-centered and person-centered care. We emphasize training all health professionals, including non-specialist doctors and nurses, in hepatitis care and treatment to ensure efficient healthcare delivery. Our aim is to integrate hepatitis care with existing public health services, promoting the interlinkage with HIV awareness programs, prison health services, and harm reduction services, thus creating a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem.
One of our key endeavours is advocating for the adoption of the public-private partnership model to enhance access to affordable and equitable hepatitis services. By establishing quality hepatitis services and resilient healthcare systems, we strive to achieve the ambitious goal of hepatitis elimination in India by 2030. Similar thoughts were voiced by Ziqitza Rajasthan.
One Life, One Liver:
This year, the World Hepatitis Day theme is “One Life, One Liver,” signifying the urgency required to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. At Ziqitza Healthcare, we understand that every life counts and that timely action is crucial to prevent the complications arising from hepatitis infections, as commented by Sweta Mangal, Co-founder of Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd.
Hepatitis is often referred to as the “silent invader” in its initial stages, with around 80% of affected individuals being unaware of their condition. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to improve outcomes and prevent transmission to others. To achieve this, we promote hepatitis vaccination as a highly effective preventive measure. The Hepatitis-B vaccine offering is safe and effective, and we encourage all infants to receive the vaccine as soon as possible after birth, followed by additional doses to complete the series. Preventing mother-to-child transmission in Hepatitis -B infected pregnant women is also a key focus area, and we collaborate with relevant authorities, healthcare machinery, and civil society to expand access to prevention, testing, and treatment services.
Our healthcare experts stress the importance of community involvement and awareness. By collectively addressing the risks associated with hepatitis and emphasizing vaccination, we can overcome this health challenge and work towards achieving the 2030 elimination targets.
Sweta Mangal further commented, “As we observe World Hepatitis Day, let us join hands to bring about positive change in the fight against hepatitis. Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd remains steadfast in its commitment to creating awareness, fostering accessible healthcare services, and empowering individuals with the knowledge to protect themselves and their communities. Together, we can ensure that hepatitis will no longer be a silent threat in India but a conquered chapter in our nation’s healthcare journey. Remember, every action counts and every life is valuable. Let us act today to build a healthier, hepatitis-free tomorrow.
About Ziqitza Healthcare Limited
Ziqitza Health Care Limited (ZHL) has been a prominent player in India’s Emergency Medical Services industry since 2005. Ziqitza offers a comprehensive “one-stop integrated healthcare solution” for both corporate and government entities, which includes Integrated Emergency Services and Corporate Health Solutions. With a vast network of 3,300 ambulances, state-of-the-art Helpline centres, and medical mobile units, Ziqitza services 2 customers every second in India. The company collaborates with multiple state governments and 75 corporate clients in India and the Gulf. Ziqitza has been recognized with the Global Real Impact Awards and the ET Excellence Leadership Awards.
For further information, please contact: visakh.dayanandan@zhl.in
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