JP Nadda leads pledge for healthy liver, highlights importance of a healthy lifestyle

Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday attended a pledge-taking ceremony for liver health at Nirman Bhawan in the national capital, where he emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy liver.

Highlighting the importance of liver health, Nadda said, “We are fortunate to be here today. We must keep certain things in mind. First, if the liver is healthy, digestion functions well. A healthy liver aids in detoxification and energy storage.”

He also pointed out that when the liver is not functioning properly, it can lead to various health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and even cancer.

“But if the liver is not in good condition, our body becomes vulnerable to several diseases — heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and even cancer. That’s why it’s important to care for the liver, and the key to that is maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” he added.

Nadda stressed that people often unknowingly harm their bodies due to a lack of awareness about healthy habits. He also emphasized the need for healthcare professionals to prioritize their own health.

“The biggest issue is that, knowingly or unknowingly, we do a lot of injustice to our bodies. We don’t always know what is good or bad for us, and often assume we’re doing fine. That’s why we decided to organize this health camp — at the very least, those responsible for public health should themselves be healthy,” he said.

Speaking about liver disease prevention, Nadda noted that many liver problems are reversible with timely lifestyle changes.

“What’s encouraging is that many liver-related problems are reversible. If we adopt healthier lifestyles, these issues can be resolved. The liver can heal on its own. What’s important is to understand the condition and how to maintain it, even when it seems fine,” he said.

Earlier, on April 19, marking World Liver Day, Nadda urged people to reduce their edible oil intake by at least 10% and adopt healthier habits.

“This #WorldLiverDay, take a pledge to reduce your edible oil intake by at least 10% and embrace a healthier lifestyle. Small changes can lead to big results when we treat food as medicine,” he wrote in a post on X, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s similar call for reducing oil consumption.

The Union Minister also launched a nationwide initiative to tackle liver disease: HEALD — Healthy Liver Education and Alcohol-associated Liver Disease Prevention. This first-of-its-kind program is envisioned as a multi-sectoral initiative combining public education, early screening, psychological and medical treatment for alcohol use disorders, and liver disease management.