Union Health Ministry Releases Revised Operational Guidelines and Training Manual of NAFLD

According to the Union Health Secretary, India has taken the lead in recognizing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as a major non-communicable disease. It is rapidly emerging as a public health concern, closely linked with metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular 

diseases. The release of these documents will provide a framework for health workers at all levels, from community health workers to medical officers.

Addressing the session, Shri Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary said that “India has taken the lead in recognising Non alcoholic fatty liver disease as a major Non communicable disease”. He said, “Non alcoholic fatty liver disease is rapidly emerging as a major public health concern, closely linked with metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Out of 10, one to three people can have Non alcoholic fatty liver disease which highlights the impact of the disease.”

Shri Chandra highlighted that “the release of revised operational guidelines and training modules reflects the importance being given by the Union Health Ministry to curb the disease.” He said these documents will provide a framework for health workers at all levels, from community health workers to medical officers. He also emphasized the importance of continuum of care for people who have been diagnosed with Non-Communicable Diseases and underlined the need for lifestyle modification for reducing the prevalence of Non alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases is emerging as an important cause of liver disease in India. It could be assuming a silent epidemic with community prevalence ranging from 9% to 32%, depending on age, gender, area of residence and socioeconomic status. In other words, we are saying that out of 10 persons 1 to 3 persons will be having Fatty liver or related disease.

India contributes high numbers for globally and one of the core causes of metabolic diseases is in liver. Realizing the growing burden and urgent need to address it, India became the first country to integrate the Non alcoholic fatty liver disease in the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in 2021.

The guidelines focus on health promotion and early detection which are important for ensuring that patients with Non alcoholic fatty liver disease receive timely and appropriate care. It also advocates for a multidisciplinary approach, integrating the efforts of healthcare providers from various discipline to offer a holistic care to individual affected by Non alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The effective management of Non alcoholic fatty liver disease requires not only a sound understanding of the disease condition but also a capacity to implement evidence-based interventions at all level of healthcare. The Training Module for Non alcoholic fatty liver disease is developed to complement Operational Guidelines and help in building capacity of healthcare professionals with knowledge and skills necessary to identify, manage, prevent Non alcoholic fatty liver disease particularly at primary level. The module covers a wide range of topic including epidemiology, risk factors, screening, diagnostic protocol and standardized treatment guidelines. It also reinforces the importance of early detection, patient education, lifestyle modification and integrated care strategies to improve health outcomes.