LAHORE: The World Hepatitis Day went largely unnoticed on Tuesday in Pakistan even though over 10 million people are reportedly infected with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).

The day is observed on July 28 every year with a determination to use maximum resources to curtail the deadly disease.

Medical experts say Pakistan has been recognized as one of the countries in the world with the highest prevalence of Hepatitis-C. It stands second after Egypt in respect of the prevalence of the disease.

The prevalence of the HCV in Pakistan is at least eight per cent and almost 3,000 Pakistanis die daily due to poor access to medicine to cure Hepatitis-C.

The World Health Origination (WHO) says that with 400 million people living with hepatitis B and C worldwide, 1.4 million die due to these infections every year and many more become newly infected.

Postgraduate Medical Institute’s Prof Dr Ghiasun Nabi Tayab said that the viral hepatitis was an inflammation of the liver caused by one of the five hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D and E.

He said that these viruses were transmitted through different routes: Hepatitis A and E through contaminated food and water; Hepatitis B through blood and other bodily fluids; Hepatitis C mostly through blood; and Hepatitis D serving as an additional infection in the presence of Hepatitis B.

Prof Ghias said the transmission of the virus could be prevented through better awareness and services that improve vaccinations, blood and injection safety, and reduce harm.

The Shalamar Hospital observed the day with free screening and checkups of patients and by providing them subsidized medicines.

Hospital’s chief operating officer Dr Ahmed Waseem and physicians Dr Haroon Yousaf and Dr Maryam Tarar were present. They said the spread of hepatitis in the country was because of the re-use of disposable syringes, transfusion of un-screened blood, use of contaminated equipment in medical facilities, sharing razor blades and through unfiltered water supply.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2015

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