ALIGARH, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), observed World Hepatitis Day 2026 with a series of comprehensive initiatives aimed at strengthening hepatitis prevention, early diagnosis, occupational safety, patient education, and continuity of care. Organised under the World Health Organization’s (WHO) theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” the observance featured a multidisciplinary scientific session, a free Hepatitis B immunity screening camp for healthcare workers, a blood donor linkage initiative, and a public awareness campaign for patients.
The programme was inaugurated under the patronage of Prof. Mohammad Khalid, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, and was organised under the guidance of Prof. Anjum Parvez, Principal and Chief Medical Superintendent, JNMC, who also serves as In-charge of the Gastroenterology Laboratory.
Welcoming the participants, Prof. Khwaja Saifullah Zafar, Organising Chairman and Chairperson, Department of Medicine, stressed the need to simplify information about hepatitis for patients, healthcare workers, and the wider community to accelerate progress towards the national goal of eliminating viral hepatitis.
The scientific session commenced with an epidemiological overview of viral hepatitis in India by Dr. Mohd. Yasir Zubair of the Department of Community Medicine, who placed the country’s disease burden in the context of the 2030 elimination target. Prof. Fatima Khan, Department of Microbiology and Member Secretary, Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC), spoke on occupational exposure to blood-borne viruses, post-exposure prophylaxis, and strategies for protecting healthcare workers from Hepatitis B and other blood-borne infections.
Dr. M. Uwais Ashraf, Department of Medicine, discussed the silent progression of viral hepatitis to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, stressing that many patients remain asymptomatic until the disease reaches an advanced stage and underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and timely antiviral therapy. Dr. Bushra Fatima from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology addressed hepatitis in pregnancy, focusing on antenatal screening, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and maternal management, while Dr. Zafar Alam from the Department of Paediatrics spoke on the diagnosis, vaccination, and management of viral hepatitis in children.
A panel discussion on “Breaking Down Barriers to Hepatitis Elimination at JNMC AMU: What Can We Do Together?”, chaired by Dr. M. Uwais Ashraf, brought together faculty members from various departments, who resolved to strengthen hepatitis screening, improve vaccination coverage, enhance occupational safety, and ensure continuity of care for hepatitis patients.
In another important public health initiative, Dr. M. Uwais Ashraf collaborated with the Blood Bank, JNMC, to identify voluntary blood donors who had tested incidentally positive for Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C during routine pre-donation screening. These individuals were personally contacted, counselled, and enrolled at the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinic for specialist evaluation and treatment under the care of expert hepatologists.
The observance also included a dedicated awareness session in Hindi at the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Outpatient Department for patients and their attendants. Using simple and accessible language, doctors explained the causes and transmission of Hepatitis B and C, emphasised the importance of completing the full course of treatment and undergoing regular follow-up, and informed participants about the availability of free diagnostic and treatment services under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP).
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Mohammad Saquib Alam.
As part of the observance, the Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC) of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital (JNMC&H), in collaboration with the Department of Microbiology, organised a free Anti-HBs Antibody Titre Screening Camp for healthcare professionals. Nearly 200 doctors, nurses, resident doctors, interns, laboratory personnel, and other patient-care staff participated in the initiative. Blood samples were collected and analysed following standard laboratory protocols, and participants with inadequate protective antibody levels were counselled regarding booster vaccination and appropriate medical follow-up.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Fatima Khan, Member Secretary, Hospital Infection Control Committee, said that safeguarding healthcare workers is essential not only for their own well-being but also for ensuring patient safety and preventing the transmission of blood-borne infections within healthcare settings. She added that regular immunity screening, timely vaccination, and adherence to infection control practices are key components of an effective hospital infection prevention programme.
The screening camp was conducted under the supervision of Prof. Fatima Khan with institutional support from Prof. Mohammad Khalid, Dean, Faculty of Medicine; Prof. Anjum Parvez, Principal and Chief Medical Superintendent; Prof. Nayyar Asif, Medical Superintendent; and Prof. Adil Raza, Chairperson, Department of Microbiology.
Source : Aligarh Muslim University News