PESHAWAR, July 29: The NWFP government has constituted a task force to counter hepatitis with a view to saving the people from falling prey to the deadly disease.

Speaking at a news conference here on Tuesday, NWFP Health Minister Inayatullah Khan informed that the decision to form the task force was necessitated by the growing number of hepatitis B and C patients in the province.

To be headed by noted hepatologist professor, Dr Najibul Haq, the force would make recommendations aiming at prevention of re-used syringes, use of contaminated instruments by the surgeons and dentists and transfusion of unscreened blood, the minister said.

“The government has decided to launch a one-week anti-hepatitis campaign in the province, commencing from August 4, in which vaccines to prevent hepatitis would be provided to the people on discounted rates,” he said.

The task force would maintain its branches at the district level that would be asked to create awareness of the disease among the masses. It  would ensure the implementation of the safe blood transfusion act.

“We have decided to involve local religious and community leaders, apart from MPs, Nazims, councillors and health workers  to sent the message across that hepatitis is preventable only through precautionary  measures,” the minister said.