United Way of Mumbai and AmeriCares India with support from Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation organised a panel discussion on the prevalence of hepatitis and need for community based interventions for its prevention in Mumbai recently. During the discussion, experts emphasized that it is very important to sensitise the people in the right manner.
The panel discussion bears relevance considering the fact that more than 100,000 people die in India due to hepatitis more so as the disease is silent in nature which implies that it can sustain in the body without exhibiting symptoms. Awareness about its prevention is therefore required on an urgent basis.
The situation is alarming taking into account that only 50 per cent of Maharashtra is covered under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). It was deliberated that the challenge of addressing hepatitis B and C can be done through information, education and communication for better community participation and targeted immunisation. Speaking on the occassion Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer, Public Health Department, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai said, “Together hepatitis B and C affect 500 million and kill approximately 1 million people every year. This is indicative of insufficient awareness among people about the disease. NGOs such as United Way of Mumbai and AmeriCares India are helping us spread awareness among the people.”
Under the Yuvroshni project, United Way of Mumbai has been able to address the challenge of increasing prevalence of hepatitis through targeting the high risk communities as well as the general population. The strategy adopted was medical interventions through testing, medical referral, follow up and support for treatment compliance and patient support activities.
Speaking on the work done by United Way of Mumbai and AmeriCares India, Kanchana TK, director, Corporate Affairs, Philanthropy, Bristol-Myers Squibb said, “Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation is looking at partners who have the capacity to build sustainable models." Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation has given 18 grants of approximately Rs. 20 crore in the past five years for community outreach programmes and awareness programmes on hepatitis. It partners with NGOs and health organizations in India on projects to improve the health outcomes of populations disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes and hepatitis B and C.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Jayanti Shukla, executive director, United Way of Mumbai said, “We have taken the help of the youth of the city to help us in our endeavor. Extensive awareness generation campaigns on occasions such as the World Hepatitis Day were carried on in slums across Mumbai. Our aim through these programmes was to improve the understanding of hepatitis B and C infections as serious infectious diseases.”
It was deliberated that hepatitis B and C are infected through parenteral route like blood transfusions and hence can be avoided and prevented whereas hepatitis A and E find their way through gastrointestinal route and therefore proper hygiene and food habits can prevent it. Says Dr Akash Shukla, hepatologist and professor at KEM Hospital, Mumbai, "There is a need to improve testing and screening facilities for which government should take steps to make it accessible to the public."
United Way of Mumbai is a premier non-profit organization that endeavors to leverage corporate, employee and leadership talent for community development. The AmeriCares India Foundation is a public charitable trust that provides medical aid in India and in neighboring countries.
Source:Pharmabiz
The panel discussion bears relevance considering the fact that more than 100,000 people die in India due to hepatitis more so as the disease is silent in nature which implies that it can sustain in the body without exhibiting symptoms. Awareness about its prevention is therefore required on an urgent basis.
The situation is alarming taking into account that only 50 per cent of Maharashtra is covered under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). It was deliberated that the challenge of addressing hepatitis B and C can be done through information, education and communication for better community participation and targeted immunisation. Speaking on the occassion Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer, Public Health Department, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai said, “Together hepatitis B and C affect 500 million and kill approximately 1 million people every year. This is indicative of insufficient awareness among people about the disease. NGOs such as United Way of Mumbai and AmeriCares India are helping us spread awareness among the people.”
Under the Yuvroshni project, United Way of Mumbai has been able to address the challenge of increasing prevalence of hepatitis through targeting the high risk communities as well as the general population. The strategy adopted was medical interventions through testing, medical referral, follow up and support for treatment compliance and patient support activities.
Speaking on the work done by United Way of Mumbai and AmeriCares India, Kanchana TK, director, Corporate Affairs, Philanthropy, Bristol-Myers Squibb said, “Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation is looking at partners who have the capacity to build sustainable models." Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation has given 18 grants of approximately Rs. 20 crore in the past five years for community outreach programmes and awareness programmes on hepatitis. It partners with NGOs and health organizations in India on projects to improve the health outcomes of populations disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes and hepatitis B and C.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Jayanti Shukla, executive director, United Way of Mumbai said, “We have taken the help of the youth of the city to help us in our endeavor. Extensive awareness generation campaigns on occasions such as the World Hepatitis Day were carried on in slums across Mumbai. Our aim through these programmes was to improve the understanding of hepatitis B and C infections as serious infectious diseases.”
It was deliberated that hepatitis B and C are infected through parenteral route like blood transfusions and hence can be avoided and prevented whereas hepatitis A and E find their way through gastrointestinal route and therefore proper hygiene and food habits can prevent it. Says Dr Akash Shukla, hepatologist and professor at KEM Hospital, Mumbai, "There is a need to improve testing and screening facilities for which government should take steps to make it accessible to the public."
United Way of Mumbai is a premier non-profit organization that endeavors to leverage corporate, employee and leadership talent for community development. The AmeriCares India Foundation is a public charitable trust that provides medical aid in India and in neighboring countries.
Source:Pharmabiz
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