Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government through a notification issued by the Health & Family Welfare Department today declared Hepatitis “B” and Hepatitis “C” as notifiable diseases with immediate effect.
“Whereas the State intends to bring down Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infectivity & caseload to elimination level in a time bound manner, and requires adequate data & information for planning & intervention; Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section (2) (1) of the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897, the Government have been pleased to prescribe that all health care providers whether in Public, Private / NGO sector where diagnosis, tests & treatment of patients is undertaken, shall have to take adequate steps for timely notification of Hepatitis-“B” and Hepatitis-“C” diseases (Screened or Confirmed) to the designated authorities (i.e., District Surveillance Officer of respective districts & State Surveillance Officer) in reporting Proforma in Annexure-A applicable for testing laboratories / Hospitals / Nursing Homes / Clinics/research institutions/research labs & any other institutions providing medical & follow up care to such patients,” the notification said.
For the purpose of case Notification, laboratory work out, management & prevention, guidelines issued by the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH & FW) is to be referred, the notification added.
The notification said that chronic Hepatitis-“B” and Hepatitis-“C” are major public health concerns in the State accounting for substantial morbidity, mortality and economic loss.
These diseases are blood-borne, transmissible viral diseases caused by Hepatitis-“B” virus and Hepatitis-“C” virus affecting the high-risk groups and other vulnerable population, the notification added.
While Hepatitis-“C” is curable if treated on time for 03 months, Hepatitis-“B” requires lifelong treatment; Whereas both diseases if remaining undiagnosed & untreated can give rise to liver damage & Hepato-cellular carcinoma (liver cancer), the notification explained.
