Pictures by Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency.
Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: With viral hepatitis continuing to remain one of the leading causes of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer worldwide, the need for early diagnosis and preventive care has never been more critical. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 40 million people in India are living with chronic hepatitis B, while an estimated 6–12 million are chronically infected with hepatitis C, many unaware of their condition until serious liver damage occurs. Reinforcing the importance of early detection, timely intervention and preventive healthcare in combating liver diseases, Manipal Hospitals Kolkata today hosted a comprehensive awareness summit on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day 2026.
The event brought together leading gastroenterologists and hepatologists from Manipal Hospitals' Broadway, Dhakuria, EM Bypass, Mukundapur and Salt Lake units to educate patients, caregivers and the community on hepatitis prevention, diagnosis and treatment, while highlighting the hospital network's integrated expertise in gastroenterology and liver care.
The programme commenced with a ceremonial lamp-lighting by Dr. Sujit Chaudhuri, Head of Department – Gastroenterology Medicine, Manipal Hospital Broadway; Dr. Pradeepta Kumar Sethy, Director & Senior Consultant, Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass; Dr. Sanjoy Basu, Senior Consultant & Clinical Lead, Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur; Dr. Debottam Bandyopadhyay, Consultant – Gastroenterology Medical, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria; Dr. Sudipta Ghosh, Senior Consultant – Gastrointestinal Science, Manipal Hospital Broadway, Dr. Prasanta Debnath, Consultant – Gastroenterology Medical, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Dr. Rahul Samanta, Consultant – Gastroenterology Medical, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Dr. Gourab Bhaduri, Consultant - Medical Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital Broadway Dr. Arun Karmakar, Consultant - Medical Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital Broadway and Dr. Vikash Prakash, Gastroenterology Medical Specialist, Manipal Hospital Broadway, symbolising Manipal Hospitals' commitment towards strengthening awareness and advancing excellence in liver and gastrointestinal healthcare.
Welcoming the attendees and highlighting the growing burden of gastrointestinal and liver diseases, as well as the importance of timely access to specialised care, Dr. Sanjoy Basu, said, "The burden of gastrointestinal and liver diseases is steadily increasing, making awareness, early diagnosis and timely access to specialised care more important than ever. Many liver conditions remain asymptomatic until they reach an advanced stage, underscoring the need for regular health check-ups and prompt medical attention. At Manipal Hospitals, we remain committed to delivering comprehensive, patient-centric care through a multidisciplinary approach that ensures the best possible outcomes for every patient."
Highlighting the significance of World Hepatitis Day and the role of prevention in reducing the burden of liver disease, Dr. Pradeepta Kumar Sethy, said, "On this World Hepatitis Day, it is important to remember that hepatitis is preventable, treatable and, in many cases, curable when detected early. Vaccination, routine screening for high-risk individuals and timely medical intervention are critical in reducing the burden of liver disease. Through greater public awareness and proactive healthcare practices, we can significantly reduce hepatitis-related complications and improve long-term liver health."