CHANDIGARH, April 18, 2026 Fact Recorder
Punjab Desk: As the world marks World Liver Day on April 19 with the theme “Solid Habits, Strong Liver,” a stark warning from The Lancet on the rapid global surge of liver diseases has brought the crisis into sharp focus, with cases of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease projected to rise steeply by 2050.
Against this alarming backdrop, Punjab is moving decisively to confront the challenge head-on, strengthening its healthcare response through expanded screening and the cashless Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, positioning itself at the forefront of India’s fight against a silent but fast-escalating epidemic driven by modern lifestyles.
Across the world, liver disease is emerging as a silent epidemic. Health experts estimate that nearly one in three adults is affected by Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), a condition that often develops without symptoms until advanced damage occurs. A Lancet study warns the burden could rise from 1.3 billion cases in 2023 to 1.8 billion by 2050, an increase of 42 per cent. India reflects a similar pattern, with urban populations and high-risk groups showing rising prevalence.
In Punjab, doctors say the challenge is intensifying due to a combination of hepatitis C infections, alcohol consumption, and rapidly changing diets. Dr Virendra Singh, Director at the Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS), said, “Alcohol remains one of the leading causes of severe liver damage in India and frequently worsens outcomes when combined with viral hepatitis. Fatty liver disease is now emerging as a major contributor alongside alcohol and hepatitis C. Long-term consumption of ultra-processed foods, deep-fried items, and trans fats is accelerating the problem.”
Doctors are also witnessing a worrying shift, where younger patients are increasingly presenting with liver conditions, driven by rising alcohol use and persistent hepatitis C transmission, reflecting changing behavioural and lifestyle patterns in the state.
On the healthcare front, Dr Singh stated, “Punjab has strengthened its referral systems, enabling earlier detection of liver disease compared to previous years. Rural access to screening and specialist care has also improved, although late presentation remains common due to the largely silent progression of fatty liver disease.”
To address financial and access barriers, the state has expanded coverage under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna (MMSY), which provides cashless treatment of up to ₹10 lakh annually for all families in govt and empanelled private hospitals. Dr Singh informs that when a patient is admitted, majority of tests and medicines are covered under the scheme, reducing out-of-pocket expenses. The scheme covers diagnostics, hospitalisation, and specialist care. He said the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna has helped many patients get better treatment and has been a game-changer for many.
Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh has also noted, “The scheme reduces out-of-pocket expenditure, preventing delays in diagnosis and treatment.”
Expanded screening under public health programmes is expected to improve early detection and slow disease progression. Experts stress that early-stage MASLD can often be reversed through lifestyle changes such as improved diet, regular physical activity, and reduced alcohol intake.
