Lok Sabha Parliamentary Q & A on Organ Donation & Transplantation

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 3108

ANSWERED ON 19.08.2011

LIVER AILMENT AND TRANSPLANTATION

3108.     Shri PURNMASI RAM

                R. THAMARAISELVAN

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-

(a) the number of people particularly children suffering and died of liver ailment in the country including Delhi during the last three years and the current year so far, State/UT-wise;

(b) the steps taken/proposed by the Government to check such deaths due to liver ailment and also to educate people about the precautionary measures to prevent such ailment;

(c) whether the hospitals in the country are well equipped to treat the cases of liver ailment and transplantation;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, the steps taken/proposed to provide modern equipment in Government hospitals to treat the cases of liver ailment and transplantation?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY)

(a): The data on the number of people including children suffering and died of liver ailment in the country is not maintained centrally.

(b): Government of India has introduced Hepatitis B vaccination in the Universal Immunization Programme for children under 1 year of age. This will prevent infection due to Hepatitis B, which is one of the causes of liver ailment in children.

Besides this, health education is imparted in the community to promote simple measures like use of safe water and personal hygiene to prevent Hepatitis A and E infections, which are waterborne and known to causes liver ailment in children.

(c) to (e): District Hospitals and CHCs, teaching hospitals are equipped to deal with common liver ailments. However very few Government hospitals are conducting liver transplantation.

Five Government hospitals, namely; AIIMS, G.B. Pant Hospital, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences and Army Hospital (R & R) in Delhi and PGIMER in Chandigarh are registered for Liver transplantation under transplantation of Human Organ Act, 1994.