Screening must to check spread of Hepatitis

karachi — Leading hepatologists and gastroenterologists have called for mandatory screening of citizens against Hepatitis B and C infections.

Addressing an event organised to mark the World Hepatitis Day 2018, they said the country has already been declared highly endemic for viral hepatitis by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which makes it necessary to focus on prevention of the ailment to contain any further spread of the viral infections.

Dr Sajjad Jamil said millions of people are carrying the lethal viruses across the country.

“We urge the upcoming federal and provincial governments to screen every Pakistani for Hepatitis B and C infections because the disease is highly endemic as per the

WHO standards,” he said.

Acknowledging that there exists no centralised data for the disease, he said 18 to 20 million people are estimated to be infected annually, resulting in 40,000 to 50,000 death in the country.

The global burden of Hepatitis C is 71 million and over 400 million are infected with Hepatitis B virus

but in Pakistan, it is estimated that around 18-20 million people are infected with these viruses, he said. “Unfortunately, only 20 per cent of these people are aware that they are infected with lethal Hepatitis B and C viruses”, he said.

Dr Sajjad Jamil pointed out that screening of viral hepatitis was easy and also largely affordable besides its treatment was also available free of charge in major cities of the country.

“I would urge every citizen to get themselves necessarily screened for hepatitis B and C,” he said.

The hepatologist emphasised that people with negative report must get themselves vaccinated against hepatitis B while for the hepatitis C virus they should take all precautionary measures as there exist no vaccine for it.

Patron of the PGLDS, Dr Shahid Ahmed in his presentation warned that Hepatitis B and C may become another form of “polio” for the country.

This, he said, was due to the fact that no steps were being taken at the moment for its prevention and elimination. —