Nagaland observes World Hepatitis Day across several districts, including Kohima, Phek, Tuensang, and Wokha.
DIMAPUR — Multiple districts in Nagaland observed World Hepatitis Day on Tuesday on the theme "Let’s break it down" to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Kohima: The state-level observation was organised by the Department of Health and Family Welfare at the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) Hall in Kohima.
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The department also joined the national-level virtual launch of World Hepatitis Day, inaugurated by Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Keveduyi Theyo, Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM), stated that World Hepatitis Day is observed annually on July 28 to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that can lead to severe liver disease and cancer. He noted that the day marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the Hepatitis B virus and developed its first diagnostic test and vaccine.
Presenting the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) scenario in Nagaland, Dr. Theyo stated that the highest burden of Hepatitis B and C cases has been reported from Kohima, Dimapur, and Mon districts, while Hepatitis B positivity among pregnant women is highest in Dimapur and Kohima. He added that screening, diagnosis, and treatment services under the NVHCP have expanded significantly.
Highlighting this year’s theme, Dr. Theyo stated that it calls for removing barriers such as stigma, lack of awareness, and unequal access to healthcare that prevent timely diagnosis and treatment. He urged stakeholders to intensify awareness and called for stronger collaboration among government departments, healthcare providers, and civil society organisations.
Dr. Mereninla Senlem, Principal Director of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, congratulated the state NVHCP for its outstanding performance at the national level despite financial, logistical, and infrastructure constraints. She commended the dedication of the team and stressed the need to overcome stigma through public education.
Dr. Senlem highlighted that since the programme's launch in 2019, diagnostic facilities have expanded from district hospitals to primary health centres in many areas, reducing the financial burden through free screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
She also stressed the need to sensitise healthcare professionals on infection prevention and safe medical procedures and to strengthen endoscopy and colonoscopy services in the state. She called for integrating hepatitis services with other public health programmes, including HIV services.
Phek: In Phek, the day was observed at the chief medical officer's (CMO) conference hall. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Chitale Hiese, Chief Medical Officer of Phek, who briefed the participants on the main objectives of the annual observation.
The theme speaker, Dr. Shasinle Tep, District Programme Officer for Non-Communicable Diseases, highlighted that hepatitis is a silent killer, as many infected individuals do not show symptoms for a long time while the virus gradually damages the liver. She stressed the importance of vaccination, particularly for high-risk groups and people with chronic liver and kidney diseases, noting that the Hepatitis B vaccine is given to newborns for protection.
Mutuhu, Peer Educator for the NVHCP, presented the district scenario of Hepatitis B and C from April 2025 to June 2026. A mass screening and vaccination camp was also conducted as part of the programme.
Tuensang: In Tuensang, the District Health Society observed the day at the CMO’s.
The theme speaker, Dr. Alemwapang, Senior Medical Officer at the District Hospital Tuensang, explained the five types of hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E), how they affect the body, and how to prevent them.
He urged the elimination of stigma, comparing it to that faced by people living with HIV, and advised participants to spread awareness about free screening and treatment facilities available at the district hospital.
Wokha: In Wokha, the NVHCP organised a programme at the conference hall of Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital.
The theme speaker, Dr. Abenthung Murry, District Nodal Officer for the NVHCP, explained that hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver, leading to liver cirrhosis and cancer.
He spoke on the five types, noting that Hepatitis A and E spread through the faecal-oral route, while B and C, which can progress to liver cirrhosis and cancer, spread through contaminated blood, organ transmission, sexual contact, and mother-to-child transmission.
Dr. Murry stated that vaccination and proper treatment can cure the disease and highlighted that the government provides free testing and treatment. He called upon community members to break barriers, misinformation, and fear.
Free testing and vaccination for Hepatitis C were provided to the participants.