Public health: Liver diseases on the rise, says expert
The expert said there were 300,000 patients in the country in need of a new liver.
Liver diseases on the rise, says expert. PHOTO: AFP
LAHORE:
“One in nine Pakistanis suffer from a liver disease,” Amir Latif, a liver transplant expert, said on Saturday.
He said the number of patients with liver problems was on the rise. He said there were 300,000 patients in the country in need of a new liver.
Talking to newsmen, he said 80 to 90 per cent liver disease patients suffered from hepatitis.
He said some patients had Wilson’s disease and others had alcohol-related problems.
Latif said constant lethargy, darkening complexion, fever, vomiting blood and accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity were frequent symptoms of liver disease.
He said the survival rate of a patient suffering from a liver disease varied.
He said if a liver disease remained untreated, the patient could expire in six years.
He said seven liver transplantations had been performed in the Liver Transplant Unit at Shaikh Zayed Hospital.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2013.
“One in nine Pakistanis suffer from a liver disease,” Amir Latif, a liver transplant expert, said on Saturday.
He said the number of patients with liver problems was on the rise. He said there were 300,000 patients in the country in need of a new liver.
Talking to newsmen, he said 80 to 90 per cent liver disease patients suffered from hepatitis.
He said some patients had Wilson’s disease and others had alcohol-related problems.
Latif said constant lethargy, darkening complexion, fever, vomiting blood and accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity were frequent symptoms of liver disease.
He said the survival rate of a patient suffering from a liver disease varied.
He said if a liver disease remained untreated, the patient could expire in six years.
He said seven liver transplantations had been performed in the Liver Transplant Unit at Shaikh Zayed Hospital.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2013.