‘Illness to Wellness’ and ILBS host contests to raise hepatitis awareness

New Delhi: The ‘Illness to Wellness’ initiative, in collaboration with the Project Empathy Campaign of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), hosted a series of contests for Delhi NCR school students to mark World Hepatitis Day.

Held at the APJ Abdul Kalam Auditorium on July 26, 2024, the event aimed to educate and engage students in the fight against hepatitis.

The contests, which included public speaking and logo design, were organized to raise awareness about hepatitis and to challenge the stigma associated with the disease. They were open to students in grades 6–12 and saw substantial participation from students from numerous schools across Delhi NCR. This year’s theme, “It’s Time for Action,” aligned with the World Health Organization’s World Hepatitis Day 2024 theme.

Approximately 304 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B or C, with India among the top ten countries with the highest burden. In India alone, over 40 million people are affected by hepatitis B. The contests sought to address these issues by increasing public knowledge and dispelling myths about the disease.

Dr. Shiv K Sarin, Director and Chancellor of ILBS, emphasized, “It’s indeed time for action, to spread awareness and dispel misconceptions surrounding hepatitis. Many stigmas, such as the false association with AIDS, cloud our understanding of the disease. We need to recognise that Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and from mother to baby. Effective control of Hepatitis B can be achieved through the universal vaccination of new borns and treatment for those already affected. 90% of people with Hepatitis C can be cured. Engaging with the youth is a powerful way to spread these crucial messages. I commend the Illness to Wellness initiative and the Project Empathy Campaign for organising this event, and I am glad that ILBS could host it.”

The WHO reported that viral hepatitis caused 1.3 million deaths globally in 2022, with hepatitis B responsible for 83% and C for 17% of these fatalities. Dr. Sarin highlighted that effective control of hepatitis B could be achieved through universal vaccination and treatment, while hepatitis C has a cure rate of 90%.

Anil Rajput, Chairperson of the ASSOCHAM National CSR Council, said, “On World Hepatitis Day, we have an opportunity to reflect, renew and redouble our commitment and efforts on the critical subject of hepatitis that continues to impact societal health- warranting our unmitigated attention. I am happy to note the enthusiastic participation of the children, along with the encouragement provided by schools in Delhi NCR to this important cause. I want to congratulate all the schoolchildren who participated in the various activities that have been undertaken under the Illness to Wellness and ILBS initiative and emphasize that by spreading knowledge about this ailment, these students are helping in raising awareness and addressing the important aspects of disease. I firmly believe that when children embrace a cause, positive change follows, as they become the future leaders driving greater sensitization and societal progress.”