ISLAMABAD: Around 59,000 people were screened for hepatitis B and C at the Polyclinic between June 2016 and May 2017 and 2,743 of them were tested positive for both the diseases.

This was stated by the hospital’s blood bank in-charge, Dr Sharif Astori, at an event held in connection with the World Blood Donor Day on Saturday.

The day is observed every year on June 14. This year’s slogan for the day is: “What can you do? Give blood, give now and give often.”

Around 59,000 people were screened between June 2016 and May 2017

Dr Astori said 2,059 people were found positive for hepatitis C and 684 for hepatitis B.

He said 20,833 people also visited the hospital to know about their blood group.

“This shows that awareness among the citizens regarding different diseases and the importance of blood grouping is increasing.”

He said 6,866 units of blood were provided to the patients of thalassaemia during the period.

Dr Astori said there should be an authority having a countrywide mandate to take action against quacks and barbers who are playing havoc with the health of the citizens.

“Unfortunately, diseases are spreading because of the irresponsible methods of treating patients.

“There are a number of clinics in different areas where quacks are treating patients and spreading diseases. The authority should take action against them,” he said.

Dr Hasan Abbas Zaheer, the national coordinator for the safe blood transfusion programme, said safe blood transfusion played a vital role in saving the life of a patient.

“However, still a large number of people donate blood only for their relatives rather than donating for others frequently. People should know that there is no alternative to blood and they should donate it to save lives,” he said.

He said by the next year a regional blood centre would be established in the federal capital to ensure the transfusion of safe blood across the city.

Polyclinic Executive Director Dr Shahid Hanif said the blood bank of the hospital was providing free of cost blood testing facility to the patients.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2017