Health Ministry releases revised guidelines for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry of India released the revised Operational Guidelines and Training Manual for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), a significant step aimed at addressing the growing public health concern surrounding liver disease in India. The new guidelines are part of India’s broader strategy to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which account for over 66% of deaths nationwide. 

During the release event, Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra emphasized India’s leadership role in recognizing NAFLD as a major NCD, linked to other metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. “NAFLD is rapidly emerging as a major public health concern,” he said, adding that the disease affects between 1 to 3 out of every 10 people, depending on factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status. 

Chandra noted, “The release of revised operational guidelines and training modules reflects the importance being given by the Union Health Ministry to curb the disease. These documents will provide a framework for health workers at all levels, from community health workers to medical officers.” He stressed the importance of lifestyle modifications and the continuum of care for patients diagnosed with NAFLD, urging the healthcare system to focus on preventive measures. 

Punya Salila Srivastava, Officer on Special Duty in the Union Health Ministry, underscored the importance of these guidelines reaching grassroots healthcare workers to enable early detection and reduce the overall burden of NAFLD in India. “The release of the training module is a significant addition to India’s efforts to build capacities among healthcare professionals to tackle the rising burden of NCDs,” she stated.

Dr. S.K. Sarin, Director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), hailed the launch as a “momentous step” and stressed that liver health is closely linked to other NCDs such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. He added that the results of these efforts would become evident in the coming years.

India’s growing NCD burden has prompted the government to integrate NAFLD into the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) in 2021. NAFLD has become a silent epidemic in the country, with prevalence rates ranging from 9% to 32%, depending on various factors. Experts at the event stressed that early detection and lifestyle changes are essential for preventing the progression of NAFLD and improving patient outcomes.

The newly launched training module is designed to complement the operational guidelines and build the capacity of healthcare providers, particularly at the primary care level. The module includes comprehensive information on NAFLD, covering topics such as epidemiology, risk factors, screening protocols, diagnostic criteria, and treatment guidelines. It emphasizes the importance of early detection, patient education, and integrated care strategies to ensure that individuals with NAFLD receive timely and appropriate care.

Senior officials from the Union Health Ministry, including Jaideep Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser, and L.S. Changsan, Additional Secretary, were present at the event, alongside representatives from 36 states and union territories. Experts from leading institutions such as AIIMS, ILBS, CMC Vellore, JIPMER, PGIMER, and WHO also participated in the meeting virtually.