Rise in hepatitis cases termed alarming

Experts stress importance of analysing statistics on virus

Positive cases of hepatitis are increasing exponentially in Pakistan, experts warned on Saturday.

They said a dire need had arisen to control the situation, but it was equally important to analyse the statistics to eradicate the disease altogether.

The experts recommended that parents be compelled to complete the vaccination course of their children shortly after birth.

Timely diagnosis and treatment are the only ways of controlling the increasing rate of the disease. The medical experts expressed these views while addressing a seminar convened at a local hotel by The Express Media Group in collaboration with the World Gastroenterology Organisation Karachi Training Center and Hilton Pharma on World Hepatitis day.

World Gastroenterology Organization Karachi Training Centre director, senior consultant gastroenterologist and hematologist Professor Waseem Jaffery, Hilton Pharma CEO Dr Ahsan Qawi Siddiqui, gastroenterologist Professor Shahid Ahmed, and gastroenterologist Dr Sajjad Jameel attended the event. Dr Jasuta Kumari moderated the session.

Professor Waseem Jaffery said July 28 is commemorated as World Hepatitis Day across the globe. "With the outbreak of Covid-19 across the globe, the day holds significance this year." He added that hepatitis is also spreading across the globe.

The day is commemorated to spread awareness among the masses. "In order to change the situation we will have to change ourselves first," he said.

This year's theme is: HEP#can't wait. He said that many people do not know whether they are or not infected with the viral hepatitis. The hepatitis related deaths are also high, he said.

"We have very less time, we can't wait. Daily, 4,000 people die due to viral hepatitis. People are dying due to cirrhosis and liver cancer," Dr Jaffery warned.

"We have to ensure the eradication of the disease by 2030 and we cannot stop taking precautionary measures even after its eradication, in case it becomes widespread again," the professor continued.

Jaffery said that there is a need for universal treatment for the disease. He said an early diagnosis can help to eradicate it.

The experts stressed that eradication of viral hepatitis can be ensured through a global elimination strategy. He further shed light on how Covid-19 is impacting viral hepatitis elimination efforts.

Professor Jaffrey emphasised on the need to update the study conducted by the Pakistan Medical and Research Council in 2006 and 2007.

"Numerous hepatitis B and D cases are reported in Larkana and Jacobabad while hepatitis C has also spread likewise." He said that similarly, the stats for Punjab and Karachi will be different.

The professor urged departments to work together for this purpose. "Unfortunately, everything in our country gets hit with politics," he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2021.