Media Release
Udupi, Apr 19: World liver day is observed every year on April 19, to spread awareness about liver-related diseases. The liver is the second largest and the second most complex organ in the body, after the brain. The liver performs many crucial functions related to digestion, immunity, metabolism and the storage of nutrients within the body.
To raise awareness about the liver and its diseases, the Department of Medical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal organized an awareness program on April 19. The theme for this year's World Liver Day is “Love Your Liver for a happy life”.
After releasing a brochure on Liver Disease, chief guest Dr Nagabhushan Udupa, District Health Officer, Udupi said “liver is a very important organ of our body, and protecting the liver from various diseases is everyone’s responsibility. In this regard, it is very important to create and spread awareness to everyone on how to protect and maintain a healthy liver to lead a healthy lifestyle. Many people end up losing their lives to diseases such as Chronic Liver disease, Alcoholic Hepatitis, and many other disease in the present era. In this regards he congratulated the expert doctors of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal in organizing and spreading the awareness program on the liver disease to the general public”.
Speaking on the occasion guest of honor, Dr Rajiv Lochan, chief hepato- pancreaticobiliary and liver transplantation consultant, Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru said too much consumption of sugar and carbohydrates is not good for health and these are the main cause of fatty liver disease. In the coming decade, fatty liver disease will be a big health-related challenge in our country and its implications on the liver. If the fatty liver disease is not treated in the initial stages it may lead to liver cirrhosis and liver damage. Through a balanced diet and exercise and lifestyle modification, fatty liver disease and other health issues can be controlled.
Dr Sharath Kumar Rao, Dean KMC Manipal, in his presidential address speech, said that the Liver is the 2nd largest organ in the human body and it performs around 500 different works in the body as per the scientist. It segregates the unwanted things from the food one intakes and it supplies nutritious and protein-rich food to the body, it also controls the cholesterol level, sugar levels, and purification of the blood. Another rare feature about the Liver is that it grows to its original size once it is harvested and this is unique compared to any other part of our body.
Dr Shiran Shetty, Professor and Head, Department of Medical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal welcome the gathering and gave an overview about the liver disease.
Dr Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal proposed a vote of thanks.