Punjab capital of hepatitis C, says doc

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 2

The Department of Gastroenterology at Satguru Partap Singh Hospitals in association with the Indian Medical Association, Ludhiana, organised a CME on hepatitis C. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Nirmaljeet Singh Malhi, senior consultant and coordinator, Department of Gastroenterology, said, “Punjab is capital of hepatitis C in India. More and more patients are being diagnosed with hepatitis C every day. Cases of hepatitis C are 5 to 10 folds higher in Punjab compared to other places in India. The treatment for chronic disease has undergone a revolution. Interferon injection-based therapy and its high cost, multiple side effects and contraindications and inadequate response rates are no more a worry.” New and emerging treatments contain oral drug combinations which are almost free of side effects and complications. They are needed for short durations, cheaper and success is more than 90 per cent, he added. The CME was attended by many renowned gastroenterologists, physicians and surgeons of Punjab. Eminent hepatologist Dr Edward Gane delivered a talk on “Emerging concepts in the management of hepatitis C”. Dr Gane is professor of medicine at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and chief hepatologist, transplant physician and deputy director of New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit at Auckland City Hospital. He apprised the gathering of the latest developments in management of hepatitis C worldwide. Later, there was a discussion on day-to-day problems faced by doctors in treating hepatitis C. Edward Gane, Dr Ajit Sood, Dr NJS Malhi, Dr Mohnish Chabbra and Dr Rupinder S Sidhu (Bathinda) shared their views on treatment strategies and replied to the queries raised by the audience.