World Fatty Liver Day: Punjab strengthens fight against ‘Silent Epidemic’ through screening, Rs 10 lakh Health Cover
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 10, 2026: Marking World Fatty Liver Day, the Punjab government has intensified efforts to combat fatty liver disease, a growing public health concern increasingly affecting adults and children alike. Through expanded screening initiatives and the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna (MMSY), the state aims to promote early detection and ensure accessible treatment for liver-related ailments.
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh described fatty liver disease as a “silent epidemic,” warning that the condition often progresses without symptoms until significant liver damage has already occurred.
“Fatty liver disease frequently remains undetected in its early stages. If left untreated, it can progress to inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and even liver failure,” said Dr. Balbir Singh, stressing the importance of awareness, routine screening and timely medical intervention.
According to data from the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab, a total of 302 liver-related cases, including acute viral hepatitis, chronic hepatitis and liver abscesses, have been treated under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna during the past five months. The treatments, valued at over ₹6 lakh, underscore the increasing need for affordable and timely liver care.
The state government’s flagship Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna provides cashless treatment coverage of up to ₹10 lakh per family annually. The scheme includes over 2,300 treatment procedures and disease-management packages across government and empanelled private hospitals, enabling patients to access specialist consultations, diagnostic services and hospitalisation without financial burden.
Highlighting the scale of the challenge, Dr. Virendra Singh, Director of the Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS), said fatty liver disease is no longer confined to older adults.
“We are witnessing a rising number of cases among young adults and even children. Poor dietary habits, lack of physical activity, obesity, diabetes and alcohol consumption are major contributing factors. The good news is that fatty liver disease can often be reversed if detected early,” he said.
Dr. Virendra Singh noted that the growing consumption of ultra-processed foods, deep-fried meals and high-fat diets, coupled with increasingly sedentary lifestyles, is fuelling the rise of liver disorders across the state.
Citing global and national studies, health experts pointed out that liver diseases linked to unhealthy diets, obesity and harmful alcohol use have become a major health concern worldwide. A 2021 systematic review published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology estimated the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) at 38.6 per cent among Indian adults and 35.4 per cent among children.
Medical experts have urged individuals with obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome or a family history of liver disease to undergo regular screening. Recommended tests include Liver Function Tests (LFTs), abdominal ultrasound scans and Fibroscan examinations to detect liver fat accumulation and fibrosis before irreversible damage occurs.