‘Sincere strategic efforts can ensure elimination of hepatitis from Pakistan by 2030’

With around 15 million patients of hepatitis in the country at the moment, efforts for prevention and containment of all variants of this lethal disease should be accorded paramount importance in Pakistan. 

This point of concern was raised by experts at an event held at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) on Friday to mark ‘World Hepatitis Day’ that is observed globally on July 28. 

The theme of the day-long programme organised by SIUT was “Eliminate Hepatitis” and the experts invited all spoke about the collective aim of eradicating the disease from Pakistan by the year of 2030.

Doctors and medical experts representing various branches of medicine dealing with hepatitis discussed guidelines for prevention of the disease. The speakers warned that if patients suffering Hepatitis B and C were left untreated they could develop liver cancer over time. 

Emphasis was also laid on ensuring that 90 percent newborns in the country must receive the first dose of the HBV vaccine at the time of birth and that 100 percent of blood transfusions were screened properly.

Moreover, the experts said that use of boiled water, practice of washing hands after eating and using the washroom and restricting use of other person’s belongings were also important preventive measures.  It was said that people should always use new syringes and razor blades, while dental and surgical equipment must be sterilised by medical practitioners.

The SIUT had also set up free testing and diagnostic facilities that were visited by a large number of citizens and helped generate greater awareness among the public at large. The visitors were shown videos and provided literature on measures to combat hepatitis.

Similarly, the National Institute of Liver and GI Diseases (NILGID) and the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) marked World Hepatitis Day by holding a public awareness seminar and free screening and vaccination camps at DUHS’ Ojha Campus.

An awareness walk was also held at the varsity campus which was led by Dow International Medical College Principal Professor Zarnaz Wahid and was attended by senior hospital faculty staff and members of the public. 

The Ziauddin Hospital also organised an interactive public awareness session to mark World Hepatitis Day. In his talk, Prof Zaigham Abbas, head of the department of gastroenterology at Ziauddin University and Hospital, focused on the hurdles in hepatitis prevention and cure and the importance of screening and early diagnosis.

Dr Abbas said a careful estimate of number of hepatitis patients in Pakistan showed that around 10 million people have been exposed to Hepatitis C and 5 million to Hepatitis B. Pakistan is only second to China in the total pool of Hepatitis C patients in a single country, he stated.

He said fatty liver disease was becoming another major health issue in Pakistan and there was a pressing need to increase awareness among the general public. A documentary movie about hepatitis control was also screened during the session. 

“There are five main hepatitis viruses – types A, B, C, D and E – and, unfortunately, all five are present in Pakistan. Hepatitis A and E spread through unclean water, sewage systems, pollution of food or contaminated drinking water etc, whereas, unhygienic environment, injections, drips, syringes, needles, unsterilised equipment, poorly screened blood for transfusion and use of used razors by barbers are the main causes of the spread of hepatitis B and C in Pakistan,” said Dr Abbas. 

He stressed the need for preventive measures to control the hepatitis epidemic in Pakistan. “There is a need to ensure proper management of patients. Hepatitis C is curable and Hepatitis B is controllable, therefore, dedicated efforts could produce positive results.”

“We also need to train our medical staff on early detection of hepatitis and also need to work on eradicating the taboos associated with hepatitis.”

The event was attended by a large number of participants including medical students, doctors, paramedical staff from different universities and hospitals, NGO workers and social activists.  Free screening of Hepatitis B and C along with blood tests, liver function tests and ultrasounds was also arranged.