PESHAWAR, Aug 9: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Durrani has announced that a hepatitis control programme on the pattern of those initiated to control TB, HIV/AIDS and malaria would soon be launched to educate the people regarding the anti-hepatitis measures.
He also urged the health professionals, media people and politicians to play active role in the campaign against hepatitis to save the people from the fearsome ailment.
Speaking at a seminar held here on Saturday in connection with the Hepatitis Week at the Nishtar Hall, he said the treatment of hepatitis was extremely expensive and the people should be educated to adopt precautionary measures to save themselves from getting infected.
The seminar was also addressed by Health Minister Inayatullah Khan, head of the task force on Hepatitis; Dr Najeebul Haq, secretary of health; Dr Ihsanul Haq, director-general of health services; Dr Jalilur Rahman and executive district officer (health) Dr Mosam Khan.
“Every fifth patient in the hospitals happens to be infected with hepatitis and we can save ourselves by strictly adhering to the principles of Islam. Its treatment requires huge amount and the only option is to spread awareness among the masses,” the chief minister said.
Urging the doctors and health workers to serve the patients with devotion and hard work, he warned that negligence would not be tolerated.
Mr Durrani conceded that the entire province was faced with a serious problem of contaminated drinking water which might lead to some chronic diseases like Hepatitis, Malaria, etc.
He said directives had been issued to the public health and works and services departments for prompt repair of the rusted water supply pipelines.
Mr Inayatullah Khan appealed to the philanthropists and donor agencies to help the government in the establishment of an institution of hepatology in the province.
He thanked the media and health professionals for their support to the government in the campaign against Hepatitis.
Mr Khan claimed that the NWFP was the only province in the country which was launching a campaign against Hepatitis.
