The camp offers FibroScan screening worth Rs 5,000, free, to patients who may have liver disease such as liver cirrhosis
Columbia Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad, today organized a free monthly FibroScan screening for patients with potential liver diseases like cirrhosis of the liver (liver scarring), hepatitis, fatty liver (diabetic, alcoholic, non-alcoholic).
The camp conducted was the third in a row, since the hospital started the practice from April. Columbia Asia has taken the initiative to run the monthly camp for a year. Through the initiative of offering screening worth Rs 5,000, free to liver patients, the hospital intends to create an awareness about liver diseases, so people know that today, these are treatable. The monthly camp was conducted under the guidance of the gastroenterology team, Columbia Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad.
FibroScan is a non-invasive method to measure the stiffness of the liver for liver fibrosis (rigidity). The method uses Vibration Controlled Transient Elastography (VCTE, patented by manufacturer ECHOSENS), specifically designed for liver screening. The machine sends sound waves into the liver, causing it to vibrate, thereby measuring scarring (cirrhosis). It is quick, reliable, and easy to perform and it gives immediate results.
“India has a very low prevalence of health check-ups and regular screening. This is especially true when it comes to liver disease. Many people avoid check-ups for fear of the attached costs and expenses on tests, especially those of a diagnostic nature. Therefore, we took the initiative to offer FibroScan screening free of cost. Until now, we have screened over 100 patients from Ghaziabad and around, using Fibroscan, and in almost 25% of the cases, liver fibrosis and/or cirrhosis were found to exist. We hope, that through this camp, we will be able to help as many people as possible in early detection of liver disease, so that appropriate measures for cure or management can be initiated,†said Dr Manish Kak, Gastroenterologist, Columbia Asia Hospitals, Ghaziabad.
It is necessary for the people undergoing the test to be on an empty stomach (they should not have eaten upto two hours prior to the test). Additionally, this test should not be performed on pregnant women, patients with a pacemaker and those with ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdomen).
“Liver diseases are often silent and do not show symptoms. Hence, many people do not realize they have the disease until it reaches an irreversible stage. Resultantly, they are diagnosed after they have caused intense damage, as in the case of liver cirrhosis. With this camp, we hope to educate people about possible liver diseases and the importance of diagnostic tests,†added Dr Kak.
