A roadside ‘dentist’ treats a patient, creating a threat of the spread of hepatitis B and C on the eve of World Hepatitis Day. PHOTO: INP
“People will get free check-up for hepatitis and patients of viral hepatitis C will get free treatment,” Rawalpindi Medical University Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Umar said this talking to the media after an awareness walk held with regards to the World Hepatitis Day.
Rawalpindi Medical University along with Centre for Liver and Digestive Diseases Pakistan has launched a Hepatitis Free Rawalpindi Programme on World Hepatitis Day being observed across the world today on Saturday.
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This year’s theme, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) is "Invest in Eliminating Hepatitis".
Speaking at the walk Dr Umar said viral hepatitis B,C were a national health problem and have brought economic and psycho-social implications as about 12 million people, or one in 10, are carrier of hepatitis B or C virus in Pakistan.
He said wide-ranging effort was urgently needed to prevent millions of new infections and increasing deaths because of it. He said that a comprehensive programme has been chalked out to make the Rawalpindi free from Hepatitis virus by March 2019 under World Health Organization 2030 Hepatitis elimination programme.
On the occasion, Dr Umar informed that under hepatitis free Rawalpindi Programme around 3000 people have been screened of hepatitis at a special medical camp set up at Union Council Ratta Amral.
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At least 944,203 people would be screened at the camp and free of cost treatment would be provided to patients having positive results. Viral hepatitis B and C affect 325 million people worldwide causing 1.4 million deaths a year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) on the World Hepatitis Day 2019 urged all the countries to promote the theme, "Invest in eliminating hepatitis", says a WHO report.
WHO will release new estimates for additional investments needed to achieve globally agreed hepatitis elimination goals by 2030, in the context of the universal health coverage.
It is the second major killer infectious disease after tuberculosis, and nine times more people are infected with hepatitis than HIV. Hepatitis is preventable, treatable and in the case of hepatitis C, curable. However, over 80% of people living with hepatitis are lacking prevention, testing and treatment services.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2019.
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