Mumbai, April 16, 2015: The Hepatology team at Global Hospitals - one of the fastest growing chains of multi-super specialty, multi-organ transplant and quaternary care Hospital in India has found in their day to day practice that the incidence of liver failure has increased in patients suffering from Fatty Liver Disease (FLD) as opposed to patients with Hepatitis B & C. Liver diseases are the 9th leading cause of death in India next only to diabetes.

Experts in Global Hospitals have discovered that more and more cases of liver failure are happening due to FLD; and the incidence of liver failure due to Hepatitis B & C is declining gradually. Another interesting fact is that the number of patients with Non- Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) are increasing compared to alcoholic fatty liver disease. There are over 100 types of liver diseases and most of these diseases are called silent killers as they have a long gestation period.

Speaking about Liver Diseases, Dr. Samir Shah - HOD, Hepatology, Liver Intensive Care & Transplant Hepatology, Global Hospitals, Mumbai said, “Liver is the most important part of the human body which plays an important role in many bodily functions from protein production and blood clotting to cholesterol, glucose and iron metabolism. Almost 50% of the liver problem cases seen by us for evaluation of liver transplant had fatty liver disease. Out of these around 60% had NAFLD and 40% had Alcoholic Liver Disease. NAFLD could be caused by obesity, eating junk food, lack of exercise, Diabetes, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome etc. About 3 to 4 out of 10 Indians have fatty liver which is often ignored or people are not even aware that they have it. Spotting the trend, we realized that FLD will be a major cause for liver failure very soon. WHO on the occasion of World Health Day has adopted the theme of Food Safety – From Farm to your Table. Improper and untimely snacking, bingeing and sedentary lifestyle, with little or no exercise are causing lot of liver diseases.”

Dr. Ravi Mohanka - Chief Surgeon and HOD, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation said, “Due to vaccination for Hepatitis B and effective medications now available for both Hepatitis B and C, the incidence of liver failure due to them has been on decline. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease could also lead to cancer and liver cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer related deaths in the world. If this damage is not controlled at this stage by lifestyle changes, it may progressively lead to liver cirrhosis, requiring a liver transplant. The problem becomes more complex due to the fact that the numbers of organ donors are very less compared to people in need of a transplant. On an average, it may take few months to a year to get a liver for cadaveric transplant. It is also common to find family members of patients to have fatty liver and therefore not suitable for living donor transplant.”

Taking cognizance, Global Hospital Mumbai will be opening a Fatty Liver Clinic. It will offer comprehensive and holistic liver care at one place. Consultations with experts in hepatology, endocrinology, dietetics, physical trainers, liver and bariatric surgeons will be followed by a patient specific plan. They will be given nutritional goals, exercise goals and monitored closely, evaluated periodically to check the health of their liver.

Dr. Shah said that experts will also deliver talks and conduct camps to create awareness about the menace of liver disease in the general public as well as in the corporate sector through various initiatives. We would be visiting the societies in the vicinity and educating the residents of causes of liver disease and preventive measures to be taken. We will also be targeting schools during their Parents Teachers Association gatherings and create awareness among parents as well children. We would be encouraging more and more people to come forward for organ donation.

About Global Institute of Liver Diseases, HPB Surgery and Transplantation, Mumbai

The Global Institute of Liver Diseases, HPB Surgery and Transplantation at Global Hospitals Mumbai have a State-of-the-Art facility that specializes in management of liver-related issues. Global Hospitals is one of the most comprehensive centers for liver, pancreas diseases & transplantation in India. The Institute brings an exceptional team of expert doctors from multiple disciplines to provide personalized care and the most advanced treatment options to patients with all types of liver conditions and diseases.

The HPB & Liver transplant program at the Global Hospitals is headed by Prof. Mohamed Rela,a Guinness Record Holder for his achievements in the sphere of liver Transplantation. Dr. Samir Shah as the Head of the Dept. of Hepatology along with a cohesive team of Hepatologists, HPB Surgeons, Anesthetists, HPB radiologists and Liver pathologists make the team of Mumbai. A comprehensive 15 bedded Liver Transplant ICU, and 2 dedicated Liver Transplant and HPB Operation Theaters are part of this unique life-saving initiative of the Global Hospitals, Mumbai. In liver transplantation, Global Hospitals have a success rate which is at par with the best in the world, thus making them a natural choice for patients ailing from hepatic illnesses across India and the globe.

About Global Hospitals Group

Global Hospitals Group is one of the fast growing chains of multi super specialty tertiary care Hospitals in India offering healthcare services of international standards. With over 2000 beds, the Group currently has state-of the art and world class hospitals offering advanced patient care, at Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai. With the most comprehensive multi-organ transplant services in the country, the Group has carved out a niche for itself by excelling in areas ranging from simple procedures to complex surgeries and multi-organ transplantation services for liver, pancreas, kidney heart and lungs. It has evolved to become a one-stop healthcare destination for people from across the world. Recognized for internationally reputed doctors and cutting-edge medical technologies, the Group’s Hospitals have achieved several milestones by performing rare, pioneering surgeries and transplantations. Global Hospitals Group is also spearheading advanced stem-cell research and academic programs.

Please visit: http://www.globalhospitalsindia.com/