Hepatitis-C outbreak: 15 dead, over 500 believed infected in Rajanpur village

Villagers say no public health facilities in the vicinity, private treatment ‘too costly’.

RAJANPUR:

At least 15 people have died of hepatitis-C in a Rajanpur village over the past month while around 500 more are suffering from the disease, the residents say.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Basti Jakaani villagers complained that there were no public health facilities for treatment and diagnosis of hepatitis-C in the area.

They alleged that facilities at the Rajanpur district headquarters (DHQ) hospital were only available through references from influential people. They said most of them had had to go to private laboratories for hepatitis-C tests, where they were tested positive for the disease. They said they could not afford the treatment and most of them returned to the village after getting their test reports. They said people from nearby villages had refused to come to their village fearing that they too might get infected by the disease.

Residents said there was no sanitation system in the village and the only source of drinking water was underground water. They said the water was contaminated and demanded that the government install a filtration plant in the village.

The casualties from the disease have included twins born to Alam Mai, who herself has been diagnosed with hepatitis-C. Mai said she and the babies had tested positive for the disease over a month ago. She said she could not afford treatment.  Other casualties include Manzoor, 50.

Waso Mai, 70, said she had lost her husband and two grandsons to the disease.

District Officer (Health) Dr Musa Kalim expressed ignorance of a hepatitis-C epidemic in the area. He said he would look into the matter and take action to address the grievances of the Basti Jakaani villagers.

The DO, however, rejected the suggestion that anybody was declined treatment at the Rajanpur DHQ hospital. He said they had a hepatitis-C camp at the hospital where diagnostic facilities were available.

He said those diagnosed with the disease were given hepatitis-C kits and vaccines and only those in critical condition were admitted at the hospital.

Basti Jakaani was among the Rajanpur villages affected by the floods in 2010.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd,  2012.