Preventing hepatitis

On July 28, World Hepatitis Day is observed to spread awareness about this viral disease — how it is to be treated and how it can be prevented. The occasion demands that we should go in for serious introspection as to the kind of success or failure we have achieved in eliminating diseases. This is necessary because nations are basically judged by their achievements in public health and education. At present, 325 million people in the world are living with hepatitis. There are around 2.15 million hepatitis patients in Pakistan, and the prevalence of hepatitis B is around 5%, and that of hepatitis C is 2.5%. The B and C strains of the disease cause 1.4 million deaths each year in Pakistan.

All five strains of the liver disease are curable. However, like any other disease, successful treatment depends on early detection and following the physician’s advice properly. A stitch in time saves nine. This dictum is applicable to detection and treatment of diseases more than in other spheres of life. If not treated properly, hepatitis can lead to more dangerous diseases. The disease causes inflammation of liver affecting the gastro-intestinal system.

Hepatitis is caused by consumption of impure water, careless injections, syringe reuse, improper sterilisation of surgical instruments, unsafe blood transfusion, sharing of shaving razors and unsafe sex. Other risk factors are consumption of substandard and adulterated edible oil and food items. It is here that the government has to fulfil its responsibility of preventing the production and sale of adulterated oil and other foodstuffs to stop the spread of hepatitis and other liver diseases. Unfortunately, governments in most developing countries have failed to ensure the supply of safe drinking water to people and to fully eliminate the scourge of food adulteration. Environmental pollution also plays a significant role in spreading hepatitis and other diseases. The prevailing conditions in Pakistan, especially in its urban areas, are nothing short of a ‘wonder’.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2020.

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