Hepatitis danger

As the world marked World Hepatitis Day which falls on July 28 each year, the theme adopted for the occasion seemed especially relevant to Pakistan, focusing on the urgent need to raise awareness about the disease and educate people about how they can prevent the disease from spreading. In our country, all known strains of the hepatitis virus are present. Overall one in every four Pakistanis has been hit by hepatitis during his or her life time. Experts note that a key reason for the widespread presence of hepatitis B and C in the country is the overuse of injections as a means to administer medicine and also the lack of hygiene observed when carrying out all medical procedures. In the past kidney dialysis machines at hospitals had been found responsible for rapidly spreading hepatitis. Tackling this problem should be a priority for hospitals, clinics and medical professionals. There is also a need to make people aware that a vaccine exists against both hepatitis A and B. The failure to use this effectively has contributed to cases of hepatitis D emerging in areas of Balochistan and other locations.

There is a further reason why this preventable disease occurs so commonly in our country. Earlier this month the Water Commission in Sindh set up by the apex court was given findings which that showed 90 percent of the water supplied to Karachi residents was polluted. In a large number of cases this water contained human waste as a result of coming into contact with sewerage. The situation in Hyderabad, and other cities of Sindh was not significantly better. In Hyderabad 50 percent of water was contaminated and declared unfit for human consumption. The head of Karachi Hospital admitted unsafe water was used in their facilities but maintained they had no control over the quality of water supplied to them. Ordinary people have no control either. They are forced to consume whatever water is delivered to them for drinking, cooking and washing purposes. Only the very rich of course can afford bottled water. The situation in Sindh, and similar problems in other places, shows us how the apathy of provincial and federal governments can contribute to the spread of a disease that inflicts havoc on millions of people. It is hard to understand how a government can ignore such a serious issue. The fact that it does so is why diseases like hepatitis remain present as a major hazard for people everywhere in the country.