Campaign to fight fatty liver disease

To raise awareness about increasing incidences of fatty liver, city-based Ruby Hall Clinic along with Zydus joined hands to observe the Global Fatty Liver Day on Thursday.

Fatty liver disease basically takes place because of excessive fat accumulation in the liver and is increasingly becoming common in the country. It is noticed that the condition often goes unnoticed in its early stages due to the absence of noticeable symptoms. If left untreated, it can lead to more severe health issues, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Recent studies indicate that the prevalence of fatty liver disease in India ranges from 9% to 38%, with some estimates suggesting that one in three Indians may be affected. Alarmingly, a study conducted by AIIMS in 2023 found that nearly 35% of cases occur in children, said one of the senior doctors from Ruby Hall Clinic.

As part of this initiative to spread awareness about fatty liver and how to tackle the disease, Ruby Hall Clinic will be launching a campaign to screen its employees for the disease. For this, the hospital will be using FibroScan machine, and on this, Dr Nitin Pai, consultant and head of gastroenterology and GI endoscopy at Ruby Hall Clinic, said, “The increasing prevalence of fatty liver disease in India is a major health concern. Early detection is crucial to prevent the progression of this condition to more severe liver diseases. Through our awareness campaign, we aim to empower individuals with knowledge about fatty liver disease and encourage them to take proactive steps toward maintaining liver health.”

This joint initiative will not only help in spreading awareness but also promoting early detection, and screening employees hopefully will make a difference in improving liver health and overall wellness, said Dr Pai.