In commemoration of World Liver Day 2025, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare spearheaded a “Liver Health Pledge Ceremony” at a health camp organized by the Ministry at Nirman Bhawan. The event underscored this year’s global theme: “Food is Medicine,” highlighting the vital link between nutrition and liver well-being.
The ceremony witnessed the presence of Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Union Health Secretary, Director General of Health Services, Director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), and the CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Addressing the attendees, the Union Health Minister emphasized the liver’s crucial role in digestion, detoxification, and energy storage, stating, “If the liver is not healthy, the entire body suffers.” He further highlighted the dangers of fatty liver, noting its significant contribution to the risk of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and even cancer. However, he offered a message of hope, asserting that “fatty liver is preventable and, to a great extent, reversible through the adoption of a healthy lifestyle and healthy food-habits.”
A key focus of his address was the reduction of oil consumption in cooking, suggesting that a decrease of at least 10% could significantly improve liver health and alleviate the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the country. He concluded by urging everyone to take the pledge for “taking care of liver health, get it checked regularly, and adopt a healthy lifestyle.”
During the health camp, participants collectively pledged to make informed food choices, embrace healthier lifestyles, reduce their intake of edible oil by at least 10%, and actively promote awareness about combating obesity.
The Ministry, in collaboration with FSSAI and ILBS, hosted a comprehensive Liver Health Camp for its officials and staff. A multidisciplinary team from ILBS provided a range of services, including clinical examinations (BMI, waist-hip ratio, blood pressure), laboratory tests (blood glucose, liver function tests, lipid profile, Hepatitis B & C screening, complete blood count), fibroScan for liver fat and fibrosis assessment, body composition analysis, and personalized nutritional counseling focused on reducing oil and processed food intake.
Aligning with the “Food is Medicine” theme, FSSAI set up an informative exhibition showcasing the benefits of millets and liver-friendly diets. The stall highlighted the nutritional prowess of millets, emphasizing their rich content of dietary fibre, antioxidants, and essential micronutrients, which aid in promoting bile secretion, reducing inflammation, improving lipid profiles, and enhancing digestion – all crucial factors for liver health and the prevention of conditions like Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
The exhibition also promoted the consumption of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower), leafy greens, fatty fish (rich in omega-3), nuts and seeds, citrus fruits, and healthy fats (olive oil), all known for their ability to reduce oxidative stress, support detoxification processes, and maintain overall liver function. This collaborative effort on World Liver Day underscored the government’s commitment to promoting liver health through informed dietary choices and healthy lifestyles.
