World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that about 40 million people in India are suffering from chronic Hepatitis B infection, on the account of which WHO has urged India to follow WHO injection safety guidelines for hepatitis prevention.

WHO has proposed the launch of a pilot campaign in India on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day on Tuesday, 28, July 2015. One such campaign is due to be launched by the WHO in Egypt and Uganda. World Hepatitis Day is observed by the WHO to fight Hepatitis that affects about 2 million people worldwide caused mainly due to use of unsafe injections which also accounts for liver cancer deaths by hepatitis, according to Meri News.

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Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO for South-East Asia Region said, "The health sector needs to strengthen disease surveillance systems, ensure injection and patient safety, screen all blood products and ensure strict adherence to the new WHO injection safety guidelines while improving infant vaccination rates including birth dose of Hepatitis B within first 24 hours of delivery," according to The Economic Times.

UN News Center quoting Dr Edward Kelley, WHO's Director of Service Delivery and Safety in Geneva informed that India, Egypt and Uganda are the three countries that would take part in first step campaign aimed at spreading awareness among people on the use of safe injection and to fight Hepatitis B and C.

Dr. Akash Shukla of KEM Hospital, Parel noted that the main aim of the campaign is to spread awareness among people on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis C. He also added that 'Prevent hepatitis. Act now' that the theme of the present year, reported The Times of India.

Singh said, "The responsibility also lies with individuals. Health promotion initiatives need to be strengthened and people made aware of how they risk getting hepatitis and what they need to do to protect themselves and their families from the hepatitis viruses." "The global focus this year will be on preventing hepatitis B and C. With effective vaccine and treatment, as well as a better understanding of how we can prevent hepatitis, we can aim to eliminate the diseases and save lives," noted Singh. 

TagsWorld Hepatitis Day, liver cancer, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, Virus