AAI pledges support to fight against Hepatitis

By Editor 05-Jan-2019

Airports Authority of India in collaboration with The Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) organised ‘I Pledge… (my support)’ campaign against Hepatitis B & C at its Corporate Headquarters in New Delhi.

This is part of ‘Empowering People Against Hepatitis: The Empathy Campaign’ being implemented by AAI in collaboration with ILBS that aims to spread pan-India awareness on the menace of viral Hepatitis B and C. The screening and vaccination camps were organised for AAI employees on this occasion.

About 60 million Indians are inflicted with Hepatitis B and C virus infections which are responsible for Liver Cirrhosis and Cancer. Most of the people harbouring the Hepatitis infection remain undiagnosed and unaware of their status. Several initiatives are currently being undertaken by the Govt of India under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program, to improve access to vaccines, diagnostics and treatment for such individuals and those at risk.  The stigma and consequent discrimination associated with these infections is a prominent hindrance to care-seeking, compliance and mainstreaming, as often the infected do not want to be identified for the fear of social isolation.

Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra, Chairman, AAI addressed AAI Officials and employees to come forward for screening and vaccination and inaugurated the ‘I Pledge... (my support)’ campaign by signing the Pledge Card.