Calls to extend hepatitis drive as cases rise

One-fifth of population tested so far in four UCs

RAWALPINDI:

The number of reported hepatitis B and C cases rose to at least 500 in four union councils (UCs) of Rawal Town as the screening drive continues in the areas declared ‘hotspots’.

According to latest numbers, 400 people have been diagnosed with hepatitis C and 100 were diagnosis with hepatitis B as part of the door-to-door drive in the four UCs 10, 11, 14 and 15.

As part of the drive, free vaccines were administered in the area through the Local Hepatitis Elimination and Prevention (LHEAP) programme in Rawalpindi district in coalition with the Global Hepatitis Elimination Task Force.

Under the project, which started on July 10, a total of 5,300 persons have so far been vaccinated against hepatitis B.

After diagnosis of hepatitis C in 400 people, liver function test (LFT) and renal function test (RFT), ultrasound tests will be started for these affected people. Patients would be enrolled on a three-month course of medication in a phased manner.

The monthly cost of one month's medicine for a patient will be Rs40,000 to Rs45,000, which would be funded by the US-based health task force.

The project envisions screening 100,000 people. So far 20,000 people have been been completed in the four UCs. Provincial Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Dr Jamal Nasir meanwhile has issued instructions to extend the LHEAP programme to 46 UCs of the city.

The head of the LHEAP project, Dr Ansar Ishaq said that the high incidence of diagnosis of 400 was due to disregard of hygiene principles. He acknowledged that the lack of availability of clean drinking water, pollution-free air, and an unhealthy diet were other important reasons behind the high number of cases.

Dr Ishaq reiterated the need to extend the screening drive but did not elaborate if there was supporting data to justify the extension. He added that a recommendation had been given in this regard with the global task force to determine whether to extend it.

Dr Ishaq pointed out that it was not possible for most patients of hepatitis C to afford the treatment as a three-month plan would cost Rs150,000.

An earlier version of the story had dengue in the headline instead of hepatitis. The error is regretted.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2023.