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Chennai, May 3, 2025 – In a significant move to address the rising burden of lifestyle diseases, the Tamil Nadu Health Department, in partnership with Dr. MGR Medical University, has launched a pioneering study to assess the prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) among the state’s tribal populations.
The pilot project, currently underway in the Jawadhu Hills region of Tiruvannamalai district, aims to screen a population of 50,000 tribal residents. The initiative focuses on identifying individuals at high risk for NAFLD by evaluating factors such as abdominal obesity, family history of diabetes, and hypertension.
Early Findings Highlight Health Concerns
Health officials report that over 500 tribal individuals have already been screened, with 120 blood samples analyzed. Preliminary results are concerning: approximately 10–14 percent of those tested fall into the high-risk (FIB-4) category for liver fibrosis, a serious condition characterized by liver scarring.
Individuals identified as high-risk will undergo specialized fibroscan tests to confirm the severity of liver fibrosis. Initial screenings are being conducted through medical camps, with follow-up evaluations managed by local primary health centers.
A Shift in Medical Terminology and Approach
The project is part of the Community Screening Programme for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), reflecting updated medical terminology. MASLD replaces the term NAFLD and refers to liver fat accumulation in individuals with little or no alcohol intake.
Health Minister Ma Subramanian previously announced in the state Assembly that the department would implement widespread screenings for NAFLD/MASLD, with treatment tailored to the disease’s stage. The MASLD initiative has also been integrated into the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) under the Union Health Ministry, underscoring its importance amid India’s escalating lifestyle disease crisis.
Comprehensive Care and Awareness Efforts
Under the programme, individuals identified as low risk will receive lifestyle modification advice and annual check-ups. Those in the intermediate risk category will be monitored and reassessed periodically, while high-risk cases will be referred to district or tertiary care centers for advanced diagnostics and specialist treatment.
The Health Department also plans to launch awareness campaigns to promote early diagnosis and reduce the impact of MASLD within tribal communities.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from Sakshi Post and has not been independently verified or edited by our team. The original story was auto-generated from a syndicated feed. For more details, refer to the original article.
