With rising cases of liver diseases especially fatty liver linked to alcoholism and unhealthy lifestyles, Kerala has become the first state in India to set up dedicated fatty liver clinics in district hospitals in the state.
The initiative by Kerala Health Department is aimed at promoting early detection, public awareness, and free treatment for liver-related conditions. In the first phase, a fatty liver clinic has been launched at Tirur District Hospital in Malappuram. Similar clinics are in the final stages of completion at the Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam General Hospitals. The state plans to roll out these specialised clinics in phases across all districts and medical colleges.
The intervention comes at a time when Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), commonly known as fatty liver, is emerging as a major public health concern in Kerala. Often asymptomatic in its early stages, fatty liver can progress to life-threatening conditions such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver cancer if left untreated.
“Fatty liver has become a silent but serious health challenge in the state. The new clinics will play a crucial role in identifying the disease early, providing free treatment, and advising lifestyle and dietary changes that can reverse or control its progression,” said an official of the Health Department.
Each clinic is equipped with essential diagnostic tools including fibro scanning machines, which help assess the severity of liver damage more accurately than traditional methods. These clinics supplement existing infrastructure such as blood testing laboratories and imaging facilities.
Health experts view this move as a major initiative to check liver diseases especially as lifestyle-related illnesses and alcohol consumption continue to rise in Kerala. The clinics also aim to manage and treat other liver conditions including hepatitis and liver cancer.
