HYDERABAD, Dec 4 The ratio of hepatitis patients is increasing every day with 1,500 being provided free treatment by the district government, said District Nazim Hyderabad, Kanwar Naveed Jamil during a meeting at his secretariat on Wednesday.

The meeting was held to discuss strategy for controlling the rising number of hepatitis-B and C cases.

He directed the Health Department to send medical teams to government schools of all four talukas to examine students for hepatitis and ear, nose, eyes and skin ailments. He said cards will be issued to those in need of treatment.

He said that the district government would soon purchase a PCR machine for the diagnosis of hepatitis and organise a seminar in collaboration with concerned non-governmental organisations for creating awareness against hepatitis and other diseases.

District Nazim directed the EDO Health to get hand bills in Urdu and Sindhi focussing health issues and distribute the same among students.