World Liver Day, observed annually on 19th April is an important global health awareness day focused on promoting liver health and preventing liver diseases. ILBS has been at the forefront of organizing significant events to mark this day in India over recent years.

The 2024 World Liver Day celebration expanded into a full "World Liver Week" spanning April 15-20. Activities included a walkathon, a general public awareness, CME for with Physicians, an high level event on April 19th on "Healthy Liver, Happy Life" theme and a health check camp.

This year ILBS held a CME programme for general Practitioners, Liver health checkup camp and a high-profile advocacy event with Union Minister for Home Affairs Sh. Amit Shah as the Chief Guest.

High level event on19th April 2025, APJ Abdul Kalam Auditorium , ILBS

The world liver day advocacy event was organized with the theme “Healthy Liver-Healthy India”. The event was graced by Hon’ble Union Minister for Home Affairs Sh. Amit Shah, Lt governor of Delhi Sh. Vinai Kumar Saxena and Chief Minister Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta. Also present were Dr Pankaj Kumar Sigh, Health Minister, Delhi, Sh. Dharmendra, Chief Secretary ,GNCTD-cum-chairman ILBS and Dr Roderico H Ofrin, WHO representative to India. More than 500 people from different walks of society and age groups, patients, their relatives attended the event.

Prof. S.K. Sarin, Director of ILBS, in his welcome address highlighted the important role liver plays in our lives and how its health is crucial to healthy living. He reinforced the scientific case for this movement, stating, “Liver health is not separate from public health — it is at its core. Fatty liver precedes diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease by many years and how reversal of fatty liver can prevent these illnesses. He emphasized the need for primordial and primary prevention through lifestyle education, coupled with advanced treatment for those already affected. He highlighted the need of combining mental health and deaddiction support for patients with alcohol associated liver disease.

The key feature of the programme was the launch of the new 'HEALD' initiative (Healthy Liver Education, Alcohol abuse and Liver Disease Prevention) and an Integrated LiHab center by the Chief Guest, Sh. Amit Shah.

HEALD, first of its kind globally is envisioned as a multi-sectoral program combining public education, early screening, psychological and medical treatment of alcohol use disorder, and liver disease management. It also aims to reduce the stigma surrounding alcohol dependence by integrating mental health support, community outreach, and policy reform into liver care. The initiative is grounded in the principle that “behind every failed liver lies a missed opportunity” — and HEALD seeks to ensure no such opportunity is lost again.

Inaugurating India’s first Integrated Liver Habilitation (LiHAB) Centre, the chief Guest applauded ILBS for setting a national example in healthcare innovation. This integrated center will have all facilities like deaddiction, nutritional counselling, psychological and psychiatric services under one roof.

Chief Minister Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta in her address passionately linked the liver to a mother “quietly bearing pain and healing others” and stressed the urgency of promoting organ donation as a societal virtue. She shared her vision to make Delhi to strengthen its hospitals to make the best in the country. She also informed that now people in Delhi can avail all benefits of Ayushman Arogya yojana. Delhi will now have 1139 Jan Arogya mandir to provide all health facilities. While praising the mission of ILBS, she desired to have another branch of ILBS in Delhito ensure equitable access to specialized liver care. She said we should have good awareness programme for prevention of liver problems and treatment for all those with liver diseases.

Lt. Governor Shri V.K. Saxena termed ILBS as “the pride of Delhi,” highlighting its role in research, education, shaping a safe-liver India and urging greater outreach to underprivileged populations. He also said that Delhi Government is now focusing a lot on health. He said ILBS is an institution which has made it name not only in India but wordl over. He highlighted that Liver related problems are on the rise due to high intake of processed food, high sugary food etc and this is emerging as a silent epidemic across the country. As administrators of Delhi, we are focusing on liver health and many new initiatives have been launched. Under this we hold regular health camps for under privileged sections of society. SMilES has also been encouraged. Open spaces for physical fitness and food security are some other measures. But we need to do more so that Delhi becomes a model for health liver care. We should also support institutions like ILBS for innovations.

The Chief Guest, Sh Amit Shah, started his address by sharing his own experience that with 2 hours exercise, six hours sleep and strict diet control he has been able to get rid of his insulin and called upon people of country to follow the advice given by Hon’ble Prime Minister to reduce your oil consumption by 10%. He called upon youth to take the measures highlighted by Dr Sarin to keep their liver healthy. He appreciated ILBS for ILBS for the unique initiative, HEALD, that will help people to take care of their liver. He called upon Dr sarin to develop a small booklet of healthy liver to all doctors including those treating diabetes, lipid problems etc. He appealed to corporates to focus on liver health in their CSR activities and support institutions working on liver. He also requested media to develop adequate awareness material for the same. In the end he asked ILBS to get associated with all AIIMS and other institutes to provide guidance for liver diseases and its awareness. He approved (anuomdan) and appreciated all his efforts by Dr Sarin and wished that on this world liver day whole world be happy through healthy liver.

The event also recognized champions of liver health, including MP Shri Sujeet Kumar for pioneering the Viral Hepatitis (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2025.

A moving audio-visual tribute to liver disease survivors, coupled with the release of educational liver health cartoons from an international contest, added a human and artistic dimension to the awareness efforts.

Over the years, World Liver Day observances in India have evolved significantly, shifting from general awareness campaigns to targeted initiatives addressing specific concerns like alcohol consumption and fatty liver disease. There has been a notable increase in government involvement and stakeholder engagement, including educational institutions, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and international organizations like WHO. Through consistent annual programming, ILBS continues to strengthen its role as a leading institution in liver health awareness and care in India.

As liver diseases become increasingly prevalent worldwide due to factors like changing lifestyles, alcohol consumption, obesity, and viral hepatitis, the importance of World Liver Day as a platform for education and awareness continues to grow. The day serves as a crucial reminder that liver diseases are largely preventable through lifestyle modifications, regular health check-ups, and early intervention.