THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister Veena George said that fatty liver clinics are being started in district-level hospitals for the first time. These clinics are being started with the aim of early detection and treatment of liver diseases, especially fatty liver disease. The health department is taking a crucial step in the wake of the fact that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a silent disease affecting a large percentage of the population.

The state health department has allocated funds to the districts to start fatty liver clinics. In the first phase, fatty liver clinics will be started at Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital, Ernakulam General Hospital and Malappuram Tirur District Hospital. The minister also clarified that the aim is to expand fatty liver clinics across the state in a phased manner.

In addition to the existing systems such as blood testing labs and scanning, fatty liver clinics are being started by setting up a Fibroscan machine to determine the severity of fatty liver. Currently, fatty liver clinics are also functioning in major medical colleges.

Fatty liver is a disease that, if not detected and treated early, can lead to a very serious condition in which the liver function itself is compromised.

This is a disease that can be diagnosed with a very simple test. Liver diseases can be detected by testing the levels of enzymes and bilirubin in the blood. ALT, AST, ALP, and bilirubin are the main tests. In addition, an ultrasound scan can quickly detect the disease. The fibroscan test is performed to determine its severity. Early detection and treatment will help to save life.