Hepatitis medical camps set up in 46 UCs

RAWALPINDI: Free medical camps would be set up at 46 union councils (UCs) under the 'Hepatitis Free Rawalpindi City Initiative’ a project of Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU), for screening of Hepatitis B and C.

Holy Family Hospital Senior Registrar Dr Zahid Mehmood Minhas told the media that more than 10 million people were suffering from Hepatitis C virus in the country. The virus has a very high mortality rate in Pakistan.

"Presently, the prevalence of the Hepatitis C virus is 6.7% and Hepatitis B is 3% while the most affected age group was 18 to 55 years," he said.

Dr Zahid said to make Rawalpindi free of Hepatitis a comprehensive progaramme was underway including and awareness campaign, screening, advertisement, mobilisation of community and laboratory tests.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2019.