Kerala launches free fatty liver clinics to combat rising liver diseases

News Desk

22 April 2025 05:00 PM

The State Health Department has established fatty liver clinics in district hospitals across Kerala to raise public awareness about liver diseases and ensure timely treatment. Kerala is the first state in India to launch such clinics specifically for liver health protection. These clinics aim to facilitate the early detection and treatment of liver conditions, particularly fatty liver disease. All treatments provided through these clinics are offered free of charge.

In the first phase, a fatty liver clinic is set up at the Tirur District Hospital in Malappuram. Fatty liver clinics are in the final stages at the Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital and Ernakulam General Hospital. Fatty liver clinics will be spread across the state in phases in addition to medical colleges.

The Health Department is taking a crucial intervention in a situation where Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) has become a silent disease that affects a good percentage of the population. Fatty liver is a disease that leads to a very serious health condition. This disease can be controlled through early detection, treatment, lifestyle changes and dietary adjustments. Fatty liver clinics will help a lot in this regard. In addition to the existing systems such as blood testing labs and scanning, fatty liver clinics are being started by setting up a fibro scanning machine to determine the severity of fatty liver. Serious liver diseases such as fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer can be treated through the clinics.

The fatty liver clinics established by the state for the early detection and comprehensive treatment of liver diseases, including fatty liver disease, serve as a model at the national level. In an era marked by the rise of lifestyle-related illnesses, such proactive health interventions are vital for safeguarding public health. This initiative significantly strengthens the state’s healthcare infrastructure and enhances its capacity to address emerging health challenges.