Delhi To Screen Up To 10% Population For Liver Disease Amid ‘Silent Epidemic’ Warning

Amid rising cases of fatty liver disease posing a growing public health concern, the Delhi Government has decided to screen 5–10% of the city’s population for liver disease over the next twelve months at its primary health centres—Ayushman Arogya Mandirs—across the city, while also training frontline health workers.

Announcing the initiative, Rajeev Verma, Delhi Chief Secretary and Chairman of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), said the move is part of a broader strategy to tackle liver disorders, which now affect an estimated 40–50% of the State’s adult population in their early stages.

At an event organised by the ILBS to mark World Liver Day recently, Verma also spoke openly about his own health journey and shared how small, deliberate changes in his daily life, including switching to a healthier diet and building regular physical activity into his routine, had made a measurable difference to his own well-being.

“These are not extraordinary interventions,” he said. “They are ordinary choices, made consistently. That is the whole point of this year’s theme: Solid Habits, Strong Liver.”

Highlighting the magnitude of the problem, Rupesh Kumar Thakur, Secretary (Health & Family Welfare), Delhi Government, said the increasing prevalence of fatty liver disease reflects changing lifestyles and dietary patterns. He outlined the government’s plan to expand liver screening at the primary healthcare level through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, alongside capacity-building of frontline health workers.

He stressed that preventive measures—including a balanced diet, regular physical activity, reduced alcohol consumption, and periodic health check-ups—are both practical and effective. He also urged doctors to incorporate liver health counselling into routine clinical practice, noting that early-stage liver disease often remains undiagnosed.

Dr. Shiv Kumar Sarin, Director and Chancellor, ILBS, reiterated the institution’s commitment to combining clinical excellence with community outreach. He underlined that sustainable lifestyle changes remain the most effective defence against liver disease, particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is emerging as a silent epidemic.

In his address, Lt. Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu highlighted that up to 90% of liver disease is preventable, calling it both a challenge and an opportunity for public health systems. He called for scaling up screening efforts and expanding awareness campaigns across the city.

“Solid Habits, Strong Liver—four words that carry the potential to save millions of lives. Let us not waste that potential,” he said.

He also urged ILBS to explore patenting its liver-healthy dietary innovations developed under its outreach initiatives, so that they can be scaled up for wider public benefit. Emphasising Delhi’s potential in healthcare, he expressed the need to position the institute as a global hub for medical tourism.

Adding a personal dimension to the event, Sangram Singh, celebrated wrestler and fitness icon, spoke about his own journey, from being seriously ill to becoming one of India’s most recognised sporting figures.

He emphasised the importance of consistent lifestyle choices, including eating seasonal and locally sourced food, maintaining regular sleep patterns, and staying physically active.

His message to the audience—to follow the principle of “Regional, Seasonal, and Original”—resonated with the broader theme of preventive health.

Officials said the World Health Organisation has recognised ILBS as a Collaborating Centre for Chronic Liver Diseases and Hepatitis, underlining its role in research, training, and regional disease surveillance. The institute is also part of the WHO SEACanGrid initiative, which focuses on liver cancer and supports cancer registries across South-East Asia.

As a specialised centre, ILBS continues to train hepatologists from across the region, conduct research that informs clinical guidelines, and undertake community outreach through screening camps, awareness campaigns, and school-based programmes.

Liver disease is increasingly being linked to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, sedentary habits, and rising obesity rates. With early detection and simple behavioural changes, a significant proportion of cases can be prevented from progressing to severe disease, according to the doctors.