Odisha Declares Hepatitis as a Notifiable Diseases

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move, the Odisha government has officially designated Hepatitis “B” and Hepatitis “C” as notifiable diseases.

According to a notification issued by the Health and Family Welfare department, all healthcare facilities operating within the state are required to promptly report cases of Hepatitis (both Hepatitis-B and Hepatitis-C) without delay.

Under the authority granted by Section (2) (1) of the Epidemic Disease Act-1897, the government has stipulated in the notification that all healthcare providers, irrespective of whether they belong to the Government, Private, or NGO sectors, and are involved in diagnosing, testing, and treating patients, must take necessary measures to ensure timely reporting of both screened and confirmed cases of Hepatitis-B and Hepatitis-C to the District Surveillance Officers and State Surveillance Officer.

Chronic cases of Hepatitis-B and Hepatitis-C pose significant challenges to public health in Odisha, causing considerable morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. These illnesses are caused by blood-borne and transmissible viruses, as highlighted by officials.

While Hepatitis-C is curable within a three-month treatment window, Hepatitis-B demands ongoing medical attention throughout an individual’s life. If left undiagnosed and untreated, both diseases can lead to liver damage and even Hepato-cellular carcinoma, commonly known as liver cancer.

The state government has expressed a firm commitment to reducing the prevalence of Hepatitis and striving to eliminate these diseases within a specified timeframe.