Continuous rise in hepatitis cases rings alarm
The confirmation of hepatitis B in 128 and hepatitis C in 536 out of the 29,317 human blood samples taken for the diagnosis of hepatitis in the court union councils of Rawalpindi has indicated a continuous increase in the number of patients suffering from the disease in the garrison city.
Under the US-based Global Task Force, work is ongoing on the project of diagnosis of hepatitis B and C as well as the provision of free treatment to patients through the Local Hepatitis Elimination and Prevention Programme (LHEAP).
According to details, the field staff visited 5,819 houses and screened 29,317 people under the programme of blood sampling and treatment of 100,000 citizens in four union councils (UCs) including 10, 11, 14 and 15 of Rawalpindi city. As a result, 128 people were confirmed to have hepatitis B, while 536 people had hepatitis C and 13 people had both hepatitis B and C.
So far 12,462 people, including three pregnant women, have been vaccinated to protect against the disease. 8,568 persons exposed to hepatitis B received the first dose of vaccination, while 3,888 persons were given the second dose. On the other hand, 175 people, suffering from hepatitis C, have been given medication to get rid of the disease.
Following the completion of blood screening of 100,000 people, a decision will be taken to start the next project.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2023.