10 April 2004	Saturday	19 Safar 1425

QUETTA, April 9: Around 12 per cent population of Balochistan is suffering from hepatitis-B and the situation is worsening with the passage of time.

This was stated by Health Secretary Dr Shafi Zehri while speaking at the inaugural session of the 20th International Congress of Gastroenterology and G.I. Endoscopy here on Friday.

The three-day meeting was organized by the Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology and G.I Endoscopy in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies. Dr Zehri said Jaffarabad was the most affected district where over 13 per cent population was reported to be suffering from the disease. The situation in Loralai and Nasirabad was also worrying.

However, he said, the provincial government was taking all possible measures to control hepatitis-B. He said in the coming session of the Balochistan Assembly the government would move two bills to set up a hospital regulatory authority and to regulate the blood transfusion service.

Dr Zehri said after the passage of these bills the law would be imposed with immediate effect which would help in resolving the problem being faced by the people of the province. He said a vaccination campaign against hepatitis-B was also launched in the province to provide people immunity against this fatal disease.

Earlier, Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology & G.I Endoscopy president Dr Mujibul Haq, secretary-general Dr Zaigham Abbas and organizing committee chairman Dr Muazzamuddin spoke at the opening session and highlighted the aims and objectives of the congress.

Later, the heath secretary performed the opening of an exhibition by pharmaceutical companies arranged on the occasion. Over 300 doctors and experts from all over the country and abroad, including Singapore, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, France, the United States and Britain have arrived here to attend the congress.