“Food is Medicine”: PGIMER, city hospitals lead charge on World Liver Day

The liver, often overlooked, is now at the centre of a growing health concern. This World Liver Day, observed on April 19 every year, Chandigarh’s leading medical institutions, including the PGIMER, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, and Max Hospital, Mohali, observed different events to sound the alarm on liver disease, educate the public on its prevention and offer screening facilities — all under this year’s resonant theme, “Food is Medicine.”

At the forefront of the initiative was the Department of Hepatology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, which launched an extensive screening and awareness drive starting April 19. “Most liver diseases remain silent in early stages and can lead to irreversible damage if not detected in time,” said Prof (Dr) Ajay Duseja, head of the department. “Three major culprits — alcohol-related liver disease (ALD), fatty liver (MASLD) and viral Hepatitis B and C — continue to burden our healthcare system,” Prof (Dr) Duseja said.

PGIMER’s screening initiative, in collaboration with its Department of Psychiatry, is focusing on high-risk groups — individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and persons who inject drugs (PWIDs) — attending the Drug De-addiction and Treatment Centre. These individuals are being tested for Hepatitis B and C and undergoing transient elastography, a non-invasive test to detect liver scarring and fat content.|

Dr Sunil Taneja, Additional Professor, Hepatology, emphasised on the role of lifestyle. He said, “Most liver conditions stem from unhealthy habits. Awareness and prevention go a long way in ensuring liver health.”

To instil these values early, the PGIMER and the Indian National Association for Study of the Liver (INASL) organised a Liver Health Awareness Programme at Delhi Public School, Chandigarh, on Thursday (April 17). Over 500 students, teachers and staff participated in the session. “Children are the key. If they learn healthy habits early, we can prevent the next wave of liver disease,” said Dr Duseja, who also chairs INASL’s newly formed taskforce on preventive hepatology.

The message echoed across other city hospitals. Dr Arvind Sahni, Director, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, said, “Approximately 120 million Indians have a fatty liver, many unknowingly.” While stressing on the need for early diagnosis and lifestyle changes, he said, “A simple ultrasound can detect fatty liver before it progresses to cirrhosis. Avoiding processed foods, alcohol, and sedentary habits can change the course of one’s liver health.”

Dr Sahni further advised a practical approach. He said, “Even 2.5 hours of exercise a week, plus a diet rich in greens, whole grains, nuts, berries and turmeric can go a long way. Also, vaccinations against Hepatitis B and responsible medication use are vital.” He also recommended drinking black coffee (without cream/sugar), which research suggests improves liver inflammation.

Dr Gurbakshish Singh Sidhu, Principal Consultant, Gastroenterology, Max Hospital, Mohali, said the symptoms of liver disease — fatigue, jaundice, abdominal swelling — often show up too late. “Timely detection is the cornerstone of saving lives. Unfortunately, low awareness remains our biggest challenge,” he said. He urged people to get regular liver check-up, especially those with obesity, diabetes, or high cholesterol.

He said, “Simple dietary steps like high-fibre, low-fat meals and avoiding sugary drinks and fast food can protect your liver for life.”

From classrooms to clinics, Chandigarh took a unified step toward protecting the liver — the body’s metabolic powerhouse — reminding everyone that health starts not just with treatment, but with awareness, education and the food on our plate.