The Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) New Delhi was formally inaugurated as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis and Liver Diseases on 5 May 2015.
Mr Satyendar Jain, Health Minister of Delhi inaugurated the new WHO collaborating centre in the presence of Dr Nata Menabde, WHO Representative to India. Also present on the occasion were Mr K. K. Sharma, Chief Secretary, Delhi Government and Chairman, ILBS, and Dr Shiv Kumar Sarin, Director, ILBS.
ILBS is the first WHO Collaborating Centre on viral hepatitis treatment in Asia and the second in the world after the US Centres for Disease Control Division of viral hepatitis in Atlanta. The Centre will focus primarily on: building capacity of clinicians and lab technicians; contribute to global research for cost-effective patient monitoring and treatment; and establish models for delivering treatment at decentralized level, within the existing health system.
Speaking on this landmark development, Dr Nata Menabde, WHO Representative to India said, “Having a WHO Collaborating Centre in India was much needed. The ILBS is an example of excellence in the provision of tertiary care in the public sector in India. The expertise of ILBS in managing patients with viral hepatitis will be an asset for WHO.”
“We are confident that this collaboration will have an impact on increasing access to quality diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis in India, the region and the world and also bring a public health approach to the treatment of the disease to ensure universal coverage for those in need,” she added.
The role of ILBS as a WHO Collaborating Centre is to contribute to WHO’s work in the following specific areas:
- Generate data and evidence-based policies in the field of viral hepatitis and its consequences,
- Prevent viral hepatitis transmission, in particular in health care setting, and
- Increase access to care and treatment of viral hepatitis B and C
Viral hepatitis is a silent killer that often leads to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Approximately half a million people die every year from viral hepatitis in the South-East Asia Region of WHO. In India alone, it is estimated that 40 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B and six to12 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, in 2014, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution urging Member States to develop robust strategies and goals on viral hepatitis. The WHO resolution is supported by the development of WHO guidelines on hepatitis surveillance and treatment based on the recent development of newer less toxic drugs, in particular for hepatitis C. Several generic companies are now producing these drugs for hepatitis C in India.
The report of a joint WHO India-ILBS technical consultation on a comprehensive National Hepatitis Prevention and Control Programme in India was also released on the occasion. The report captures key recommendations on priority actions on the need for better data, awareness generation, and strengthened prevention and increased access to treatment.