- Together, for a Hepatitis-Free Generation
New Delhi, 4 Dec 2025:
The Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), in collaboration with the Directorate of Family Welfare, Government of NCT of Delhi, observed the 28th Hepatitis Day at ILBS, under the theme “Together, for a Hepatitis-Free Generation.” The event, part of a long-standing movement that began with the pioneering Yellow Ribbon Campaign conceptualized in 1998 by Dr S K Sarin, reaffirmed Delhi’s leadership in hepatitis control and liver health awareness.
The programme was led by Dr. Nikhil Kumar, IAS, Secretary (Health & Family Welfare), GNCTD, who delivered the keynote address. He emphasized that creating a hepatitis-free generation requires consistent public health action, early education, and community participation. He urged the large gathering of school students, nursing trainees, and healthcare professionals to understand hepatitis B transmission dynamics, participate actively in preventive practices, and become advocates of liver health within their communities. He further highlighted that the theme of the year must translate into sustained awareness, screening, and youth engagement, especially through programmes like the ILBS Y-SMilES initiative, which has already educated more than 15,000 students across several states and is poised for expanded roll-out in Delhi schools. He was also of opinion that yellow ribbon comparing should be adopted by other states also.
Mr Nikhil Kumar along with others also administered a pledge to all 660 participants to work towards increasing awareness about hepatitis, vaccination and also to contribute to empowering people against hepatitis. He stressed that viral hepatitis continues to be a major public health challenge in India, with nearly 3.5 crore people living with chronic hepatitis B and C in India, underscoring the need for widespread screening, vaccination and treatment.
The event witnessed strong participation from schools, colleges, and nursing institutions. Twenty-five schools and 15 nursing colleges took part in activities such as poster making, slogan creation, solo acts, quizzes, and skits, engaging a total of 660 participants including faculty. The platform allowed students to interact directly with experts and deepen their understanding of hepatitis prevention, an investment that the Secretary Health described as crucial for shaping long-term public health outcomes.
Alongside the educational activities, ILBS conducted a large-scale free liver health screening camp where 150 citizens registered, 104 ABHA IDs were generated, 138 blood samples were collected, 150 FibroScan tests were completed, 113 Body Composition Analyses were conducted, and 100 individuals received Hepatitis B vaccination, reflecting the programme’s dual focus on education and early detection.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sarin, elaborated on how Delhi has historically been at the forefront of hepatitis prevention, from launching one of the world’s earliest hepatitis awareness campaigns to supporting evidence-based policymaking at national and state levels. He thanked the Health Secretary for his leadership and reaffirmed ILBS’s commitment to advancing liver health in Delhi and beyond. He stated that with sustained partnerships, empowered youth, scientific rigor, and an active community, Delhi can truly become a model for a hepatitis-free generation.
Senior Reporter