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Jeddah: The liver plays a central role in maintaining our healthy bodies. Filters toxins, supports digestion, stores essential energy and nutrients, and helps the body to fight infections.

However, the main concern with liver diseases is that they are often silent murderers. Progression is very gradual, and most patients do not experience symptoms, leaving them without knowing their condition. This makes consciousness and early detection vital.

This is a national health priority for the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabias, which focuses on preventive care.

Protecting liver health means preventing long -term complications and improving the quality of life for millions, contributing to the objectives of the ministries to improve healthy life expectancy, in line with the 2030 Vision objective of creating a vibrant society.

In an exclusive interview after World Liver Day on Saturday, Dr. Abdullah Assiri, Deputy Minister of Health of the population, said that hepatitis B and viral C-Hepatitis have been a long-standing concern and is responsible for many cases of chronic liver disease and liver cancer.

He said: “In Saudi Arabia, the hepatitis C virus has caused the majority of cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis and liver transplants.”

Hepatitis is essential, an inflammation of the liver caused by different viruses: types A, B, C, D and E – Each differs in how they spread, how severe they become and how they are prevented.

Assiri added: “The challenge with hepatitis is that up to 95 percent of people living with infection worldwide do not know, because the disease can remain silent for years.

“In terms of early warning signals, these can be quite lazy, which include fatigue, abdominal problems or mild jaundice, but there are often no symptoms at all until the disease progresses.”

Assiri explained that the main reason why liver conditions are not diagnosed until subsequent internships is that the liver is a remarkable resilient organ.

It continues to work well, even when it is partially damaged. Unfortunately, for the time that symptoms such as swelling, jaundice or digestive problems appear, disease may have already progressed to cirrhosis or liver failure.

He said: “Late detection can lead to serious consequences, including irreversible liver healing, liver cancer and life complications.

“That is why we strongly recommend that people, as special, with risk factors such as obesity, diabetes or family history of liver disease, are subjected to regular controls and exams.”

Lifestyle is everything when it comes to liver’s health. Bad diet, lack of physical activity and smoking exert additional pressure on the liver.

Alcohol -related liver disease thinking is less frequent in the kingdom, other lifestyle factors, such as unhealthy eating habits, along with viral hepatitis, play a more important role.

He said: “The good news is that the liver has an exceptional capacity to heal if adequate care is given. Even early damage can often be reversed through changes in lifestyle. I have personally witnessed patients transform their health by form.” “

As a medical professional, Assiri always recommends changes in lifestyle focused on four key pillars: nutrition, sleep, relaxation and exercise. All these are vital for the maintenance of a healthy liver, as are hepatitis vaccines.

At the national level, the Ministry of Health is addressing liver diseases through policies that focus on prevention, early detection, infection control practices in medical care and effective treatment.

Assiri said: “An important milestone in the national strategy was the introduction of antiviral medications of direct action in 2014, which marked the beginning of a national effort throughout the country to eliminate hepatitis C.

“The data shows that a comprehensive program that combines directed detection, aggressive treatment of around 8,000 patients per year and strengthened prevention strategies could see this disease eliminated in Saudi Arabia by 2030, or before.

“Eliminating hepatitis C would save approximately 3,000 Saudi lives and SR10 billion ($ 2.6 billion) in medical care costs.

“It is important to emphasize that this elimination program also allows Brader detection initiatives for other ‘silent murderer’ diseases, such as hepatitis B, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia, which allows us to an Aarly. Preventive.

He added: “Our progress has a substantial leg. With our treatment coverage objectives of 80 percent in 2023, they are on the way to reduce mortality by 65 percent by 2025, its objective is to diagnose 90 percent of cases by 2026 and are working to reduce 30”

These metrics reflect a solid public health response and demonstrate the strong commitment of Saudi Arabia to lead with the example in regional disease control efforts.

In addition to this, Saudi Arabia remains a leader in innovation and medical research in the field. For example, the first robotic liver lobe transplantation of the world was performed here, which demonstrates the world -class liver attention commitment.

The Ministry has several in -progress. One of the key programs is premarital detection, which proves couples for hepatitis B and C to reduce the risk of transmission and guarantee early intervention.

In addition, community detection units are expanding, especially for high -risk groups, and improves access to affordable treatment for hepatitis C. In collaboration with health centers, the Ministry of Early Hepatitis.

Assiri said: “Take care of your liver now, and will take care of you for life. The liver is the greatest and one of the most vital organists of the human body, but it is often not not to deserve because it can be silent.

“I urge everyone to lead a more active life: eat healthier, stay hydrated, sleep and get a regular check, especially if you have risk factors such as diabetes or obesity.

“Vaccinating and remember that small changes in their daily routine can make a big difference for your liver and general health.”