Punjab witnesses alarming surge in hepatitis patients

PHC claims businesses of more than 6,000 quacks were closed down

LAHORE: Besides exposing the tall claims and efficiency of  Punjab’s health department, the data revealed horrifying fact that over seven million people were the victims of hepatitis across Punjab and the number was still growing, The Express Tribune learnt on Wednesday.

When contacted, Provincial Hepatitis Control Programme Manager Dr Zahida Sarwar said up till now the department could not confirm the figure “as we are still busy in collecting samples”. However, the sources revealed that despite rigorous campaign, including crackdown against quacks, the establishment of hepatitis filter clinics, registration of barber shops and installation of clean drinking water dispensers and awareness campaigns on multiple sexual partners, the growing number of hepatitis patients was alarming.

On several occasions, the Provincial Hepatitis Control department had made tall claims regarding steps taken by it for the elimination of disease such as 109 hepatitis filter clinic across Punjab and claim that 30,000 suspected patients were screened.



The department had also claimed that it was providing free medical assistance to 80,000 hepatitis patients in Punjab annually. Despite keeping a comprehensive record of all its steps to check the spread of the disease, the department was still resultant in revealing the actual data of hepatitis patients in Punjab.

According to the health department’s statements, proper legislation, education, awareness and introduction of auto-destructible syringes were essential to curb hepatitis from spreading in masses.

Quackery is the major source

On Wednesday, as per routine, the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) issued the press release in which they stated that following the orders of Supreme Court, the PHC teams had sealed 669 businesses and visited 1,693 centres during crackdown carried out in different districts of the province. During the crackdown, PHC claimed the businesses of more than 6,000 fake clinics and hakeems were closed down. However, on the contrary, quacks businesses were still thriving right under the nose of PHC and the health department.

“Actually they (PHC) conduct civil proceedings against quacks,” commented Dr Salman Kazmi who approached the apex court against quacks, adding that the civil proceedings against them under PHC Act which was related to sealing of premises only, however, no stern action was taken against quacks.

“PHC should conduct criminal proceedings against quacks under Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) Amendment Act 2012 section 28 1,2 PPC clauses 415 to 420 and Drug Act, Epidemic Act regarding the spread of hepatitis C and other laws as well,”
he suggested.

He said the department could even directly register an FIR with the local police station against quacks and later proceed the case against them according to law.

“These quacks are playing with the lives of common people and were the main source of spreading diseases such as hepatitis and HIV,” he said.

A transmittable disease

Dr Ahmed Ali, a senior medic at Mayo hospital, said mainly people fall victim to hepatitis due to their unhygienic lifestyle, contaminated water and sexual relationship. “If we do not educate our children, it is impossible to eliminate the disease from the country,” he said.

He added that hepatitis was a fatal disease and could be prevented by following health principles and adopting precautionary measures. “Children should be given all necessary information on safety measures related to hepatitis so they remain safe.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2018.