World Hepatitis Day: ‘Your barber’s scissors could give you an infection’
Sometimes people can contract hepatitis B and C and HIV infections from minor cuts when getting a shave or a haircut
KARACHI:
Members of the Sindh Medical College (SMC) Alumni Association are raising awareness among barbers and beauticians about hepatitis B and C.
According to campaign coordinator, Dr Natasha Mustafa, “This is very important as sometimes people can contract hepatitis B and C and HIV infections from minor cuts when getting a shave or a haircut.”
Mustafa points out that even manicures and pedicures can be dangerous because of poor hygienic practices. Sharp tools used to clean the skin are often reused, which creates health problems. “Hair dressers and beauticians themselves are at risk due to the application of contaminated tools, knives and blades,” says Mustafa.
The awareness campaign is part of the ongoing SMC Alumni campaign “United We Stand Against Hepatitis C”. SMC Alumni Association president, Dr Sameer Qureshi, led the walk that started from the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre emergency department and ended at the Otolaryngology department.
More than 500 students joined the walk to mark World Hepatitis Day. The SMC Alumni Association also arranged seminars for doctors and the public in major hospitals across Karachi.
The students and members of SMC Alumni visited different clinics across Karachi to raise awareness among healthcare providers as well as patients on how to protect themselves against viral infections.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2011.
Members of the Sindh Medical College (SMC) Alumni Association are raising awareness among barbers and beauticians about hepatitis B and C.
According to campaign coordinator, Dr Natasha Mustafa, “This is very important as sometimes people can contract hepatitis B and C and HIV infections from minor cuts when getting a shave or a haircut.”
Mustafa points out that even manicures and pedicures can be dangerous because of poor hygienic practices. Sharp tools used to clean the skin are often reused, which creates health problems. “Hair dressers and beauticians themselves are at risk due to the application of contaminated tools, knives and blades,” says Mustafa.
The awareness campaign is part of the ongoing SMC Alumni campaign “United We Stand Against Hepatitis C”. SMC Alumni Association president, Dr Sameer Qureshi, led the walk that started from the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre emergency department and ended at the Otolaryngology department.
More than 500 students joined the walk to mark World Hepatitis Day. The SMC Alumni Association also arranged seminars for doctors and the public in major hospitals across Karachi.
The students and members of SMC Alumni visited different clinics across Karachi to raise awareness among healthcare providers as well as patients on how to protect themselves against viral infections.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2011.