Capacity building needed to tackle non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases: Health secy

New Delhi: Capacity building is necessary for medical officers as it provides them with the unique opportunity to more effectively address non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases(NAFLD), health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said on Thursday.

He made these remarks during a webinar for medical officers from district hospitals, community health centres, and primary health centres on Thursday. The training initiative, according to Bhushan, will arm medical officers with the skills to understand the risk factors, deliver an accurate diagnosis, and administer effective treatment flows for NAFLD. The program will be divided into two tracks - recurring webinars and three-day residential training programs, with the first such residential program to be held in Madhya Pradesh.

The health secretary highlighted the role of primary health centres, community health centres, and district hospitals in providing direct community engagement. He underscored the significance of their capacity to share accurate information with the community and drive lifestyle changes. “It is crucial these medical officers possess the right knowledge and tools to perform their tasks effectively,” Bhushan stated.

The webinar comes as part of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, in response to NAFLD’s growing health concern. It sought to foster knowledge exchange, encourage collaboration, and raise awareness about Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) among the nation’s medical officers.

The initiative also allows medical officers to deepen their understanding of NAFLD, from its causes and risk factors to its clinical implications and available treatments. The broader aim is to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in India.