Joining the rest of the world in creating awareness of the ever growing menace of Viral Hepatitis disease, Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) on the occasion of World Hepatitis day organized a “Walk for the Liver” Saturday morning.
More than hundred NHAK staff including doctors, nurses, paramedical, technical and others wearing white shirts and white caps inscribed with “Am I number 12?” took part in the walk across the state capital.
The “Walk for the Liver” kicked off from the hospital complex and traversed through the main town via TCP Gate, Old MLA Hostel Junction to Razhü Point and returned via D-Block and proceeded towards BOC. It concluded at Red Cross building where breakfast was served to the participants.
‘Am I Number 12?’ referred to the worldwide statistic that 1 in 12 people are living with viral hepatitis B or hepatitis C. The walk was organized as part of the third ‘World Hepatitis Day’ observation this year with the theme “It’s closer than you think” which aimed at creating awareness on the danger of Hepatitis diseases as declared by World Health Organization (WHO) in 2010.
It may be mentioned that, coordinated by the World Hepatitis Alliance since 2007, ‘World Hepatitis Day’ was observed every year but it is officially recognized by WHO only on May 2010 and it is now one of only four diseases related “official days” which WHO had recognized.
Hepatitis kills around one million people every year. Millions more suffer immediate sickness or long-term ill health.
‘World Hepatitis Day’ provides an opportunity to recognize viral hepatitis as a major global health problem in order to advance prevention and control.
In May 2010, WHO agreed a resolution on viral hepatitis and called for a globally coordinated response to hepatitis, covering vaccination, safe healthcare and injections, testing and treatment for patients, education and advocacy for those living with the disease, and research and support to help countries formulate their own national responses.
Though, ‘World Hepatitis Day’ unofficially started in 2007, the first officially recognized one was observed on this day in 2010 with the campaign theme ‘This is hepatitis’ followed by 2011 with campaign theme – “This is hepatitis… Know it. Confront it. Hepatitis affects everyone, everywhere”.