The disease, said experts, had taken the form of an epidemic, with Pakistan having the second largest hepatitis C patients, after China. The progamme, initially launched in three districts (Quetta, Islamabad and Muzzafarabad), would be extended to 21 districts, he added.
“The federal government can launch or support a health programme but cannot force a province to take steps for the well-being of its population,” he said.
“Hepatitis clinics will be established under this programme which we will gradually take up to the national level,” said Dr Zaidi.
At the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), people came in large numbers to avail free treatment and screening facilities for hepatitis. The institute had arranged day-long activities to educate the public on disease prevention and treatment.
“According to some statistics, about 15 million people in Pakistan (one in 13) are harbouring the virus of hepatitis B or C. The theme for this year as announced by the World Health Organisation was ‘No Hepatitis’ which calls to eradicate the disease globally by 2030,” said an SIUT official.
“Pakistan is second to China in having a large number of hepatitis C patients. There is an utmost need to increase awareness about the risk factors, prevention and treatment of hepatitis,” he said.
“Unhygienic environment, reuse of syringes, injections, drips, needles, unsterilised equipment, poorly screened blood (for transfusion), and improper use of razors by barbers are some major factors responsible for the widespread prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in Pakistan,” he said.
At a programme held at the National Institute of Liver & GI Disease, Dow University of Health Sciences, speakers said that hepatitis had emerged as a major health challenge and there was a need for national as well as international efforts to check its spread.
“It is important to screen the blood properly and adopt sterilisation measures during dental and surgical procedures. Early diagnosis is crucial as proper treatment at this stage can lead to complete recovery,” said vice chancellor of the university, Prof Masood Hameed Khan.
source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1273831
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