Health experts discuss complications of hepatitis B and C

PSSLD organises symposium

Islamabad

Health experts from all across the country discussed complications of hepatitis B and C along with Cirrhosis and treatment options for the problems in a symposium organised by Pakistan Society for study of Liver Diseases (PSSLD) with the objectives of educating young doctors and specialists in managing the patients suffering from hepatitis and creating awareness among masses.

Nearly 500 doctors, nurses and paramedics along with individuals from general public attended the symposium arranged at Maroof International Hospital in connection with World Hepatitis Day observed on Thursday around the globe.

Professor Muzaffar Latif Gill was the chief organiser of the symposium while senior consultants from the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi delivered lectures on liver and gastrointestinal diseases caused by hepatitis.

Among keynote speakers at the symposium were Professor Guidet from USA, Professor Gill, Professor Masood Siddiq, Professor of Medicine at Rawalpindi Medical College Dr. Muhammad Shoaib Shafi, Professor Waseem Jaffery from Aga Khan University Hospital and Professor Aurangzeb Durrani.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor Gill said that hepatitis is the most common gastrointestinal issue of recent era and we are at war with hepatitis. He said under Sustainable Development Goals, the target has been set to free world from hepatitis by 2030 and to achieve this goal, all stakeholders including doctors, government and civil society would have to work hard.

He added that nearly 20 million people in Pakistan are suffering from hepatitis B and C and majority of people here call it black jaundice. Every year, well over 300,000 people die of hepatitis and its co-morbidities or complications and if sufficient awareness is created among masses, the losses can be minimized to a significant level, he said.

Professor Gill said that hepatitis can only be prevented by following precautionary measures religiously including immunisation of newborns, sterilisation of surgical instruments and blood screening before transfusions. To prevent hepatitis, healthcare service providers must use new needles and syringes for every patient, he said.

He said that any patient having weakness, fatigue, weight loss or changes in skin colour should be investigated for liver tests and hepatitis. He said that previously injections of interferon were used for treatment of hepatitis but now oral medication is available around the globe. It is the prime responsibility of government to provide tablets in at least all public sector hospitals of the country for management of patients suffering from hepatitis, he said.

Speaking at the occasion, Professor Masood Siddiq said that hepatitis B and C are extremely common in our part of the world and if not diagnosed early and treated successfully, they lead to Cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis means shrinking of the liver and it is killing millions of people worldwide.

Dr Masood said that Cirrhosis is a serious condition, which is accompanied with abdominal distension due to accumulation of fluid. Other complications of Cirrhosis are vomiting of blood due to rupture of veins in the food passage and stomach. Most of the patients may die within five to seven years after development of Cirrhosis, he said.

Liver transplant is the only cure for Cirrhosis for which facilities do not exist in Pakistan and therefore, the best way is to prevent hepatitis B and C by educating the masses, he said.

Professor Shoaib Shafi said that if treated in time, over 90 per cent of the patients can achieve complete cure but if left untreated, hepatitis can be fatal.