Rohit Shishodia
In a significant step, the Delhi government has started a model treatment care centre in Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital (LNJPH) where patients suffering from hepatitis B and C will be screened through blood tests and then provided medicines free of cost.

Initially, the focus will be on treatment of hepatitis C. LNJPH is the first government hospital where treatment of hepatitis is free of cost.

The duration of treatment of hepatitis C is three months, which ensures elimination of the virus. Hepatitis C used to be an incurable disease three years ago but now it can be cured through oral medications.

A hepatitis C affected patient has to take medicines without any miss for three months. Missing medication during the treatment and intake of alcohol can make the treatment ineffective.

The free treatment of hepatitis is expected to provide big relief to thousands of patients in Delhi, who often do not get treatment of hepatitis C due to its huge cost. The cost of treatment of hepatitis is Rs 90,000 to Rs 1,00,000 and varies from hospital to hospital.

Dr Suresh Kumar, Director and Professor of Medicine and Nodal Officer, Viral Hepatitis Program, Delhi Government, told DTMT: “The patient will be first screened for hepatitis through serology test and then confirmatory test known as viral load test. If virus is found in the blood tests, then treatment will be started.”

Dr Kumar pointed that earlier treatment of hepatitis was possible through injections but now for two to three years tablets are available in the market. “Discovery of medicines for hepatitis has been the biggest development and invention in the twenty first century. Hepatitis C is now curable within three months,” he said.

Causes of hepatitis C includes intake of heavy drug dose through injections, wrong blood transfusion, unsafe sex and mother to child transmission during pregnancy. Dr Kumar informed that around 40,000 people affected hepatitis C are living in Delhi.

Symptoms of hepatitis include tiredness, pain in legs and hands and irritation.