The disease claimed 2,527 lives last year in Mumbai, which is the highest in past five years
Mumbai : Despite rising cadaver donations and liver transplantation in the city, the number of people on the waiting list in need for liver transplantation is going up. Health experts claim this is a result of increasing liver failure cases in the city. The data revealed by BMC health department states that the city has registered 27,468 deaths due to liver failure in last 14 years with 2014 alone witnessing 2,527 deaths. Sunday is the ‘World Liver Day’.
City doctors claim that unlike before wherein Hepatitis B and C were majorly responsible for liver failure cases, now the trend is changing with alcohol consumption, obesity and people’s sedentary lifestyle coming into light and causing liver damages, especially in younger generation. A report by Zonal Transplant Coordination Center (ZTCC) revealed that since January till March the city has witnessed 13 liver transplantation.
Health experts stated that out of the two types of liver disease which includes fatty liver disease and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases (NAFLD), the cases of NAFLD is on the rise owing to wrong dietary habits, high intake of fats and carbohydrates and less of protein. Adding further, they said that these diseases are reversible if the treatment is started at an early stage.
Dr Ravi Mohanka, Chief Surgeon and head of department of liver transplantation at Global Hospital, said, “The number of patients falling prey to liver diseases are surging, especially we are witnessing more cases of NAFLD. This has become a cause of worry because NAFLD causes the liver to swell and a swollen liver may cause Cirrhosis over time and may lead to liver failure.”
City doctors also mentioned that liver diseases have no symptoms due to which for years, people cannot find out if they are suffering from any liver disease. “We have observed that often people come to know about their liver disease when they reach the end stage,” added Dr Mohanka.
Manasi Tahalani
