Hepatitis on the rise in Charsadda

CHARSADDA: The spike in hepatitis B and C cases has been reported in Charsadda with a total of 176 more cases diagnosed across various hospitals in the district during the month of July only.

According to official statistics, 151 cases were of hepatitis C and 25 of hepatitis B in the district in July last. Despite July 28 being observed annually as World Hepatitis Day, no awareness seminars have been held in the district over the past three years due to a lack of funding. Data from the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Charsadda’s Pathology Department revealed that 1,371 people were tested for hepatitis in July, out of which 95 were diagnosed with hepatitis C and 21 for hepatitis B.

Similarly, screening data from Women & Children Hospital Rajjar, Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Tangi, and Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Shabqadar, shows that 2,058 persons were screened in the last month, resulting in 56 cases of hepatitis C and 4 of hepatitis B.

When contacted, Dr Ashfaq of the Charsadda Hospital attributed the rise in hepatitis cases to several factors, including consumption of contaminated water, poor quality of food, lack of personal hygiene, use of unsterilised syringes, unsafe dental tools, unsterilised surgical instruments, reuse of shaving blades at barbershops and unsafe sexual practices.

Dr Zeeshan, the district’s hepatitis focal person, said that all major hospitals in Charsadda now have stringent monitoring systems and testing facilities for hepatitis.He said that in the past, due to lack of awareness, many infected persons never got tested, which led to underreporting. However, he said with improved monitoring, thousands of tests were now conducted monthly, and patients diagnosed with hepatitis were provided with treatment. It may be mentioned that Pakistan sees approximately 19,000 deaths from hepatitis annually. Despite this, no awareness workshops or seminars have been held in recent years due to budget constraints.

The lack of awareness and failure to follow preventive measures are seen as key reasons behind the recent surge in hepatitis cases, which has affected 176 people in Charsadda in just one month.