BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI : Delhi-based Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) have joined hands for hepatitis C screening camps. The effort is being supported by the Directorate General of Health Services(DGHS), Delhi Government.

An orientation workshop for medical officers and laboratory technicians from various hospitals and polyclinics of Delhi under the the HEAD-Start project was organised on the issue in New Delhi, officials said.

The HEAD-Start project aims to enhance hepatitis C diagnosis, explore innovative testing strategies and treatment pathways in both general and vulnerable groups. This includes patients with clinical findings, people who inject drugs, individuals with HIV co-infection, patients on dialysis and patients who have undergone blood transfusions.

"Delhi, with its ever-growing population, has a high burden of hepatitis C. Diagnosis of the disease followed by treatment with direct-acting antivirals is critical," said Dr Shiv Kumar Sarin, Senior Professor, Hepatology, and Director, ILBS.

“The project will generate evidence for the implementation of effective diagnostic tools, and provide an operational service delivery model for the design of an integrated diagnostics and treatment blueprint, which will inform stakeholders and policymakers at both the state and central levels,”said Dr Sanjay Sarin, Head of FIND India.

The aim of the workshop was to enhance availability and accessibility of hepatitis C testing in key hospitals and polyclinics including Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital, Maharshi Valmiki Hospital, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, the official added.