RAWALPINDI: With the vision to eliminate hepatitis by 2030, the Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU) launched a new programme titled ‘Hepatitis-free Rawalpindi’ in collaboration with the Centre for Liver and Digestive Diseases on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, RMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohammad Umar said this was the first programme of its kind and a step forward towards eliminating hepatitis from the country.

“It is a community-based programme for screening, diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C cases in Rawalpindi city,” he said while talking to mediapersons at the Holy Family Hospital (HFH).

He said under this programme union council-wise screening had already been started to find the missing cases and a fourth successful camp was organised in this connection in Ratta Amral Union Council-1.

He said in the first phase 944,203 people would be screened and all positive patients would be treated free of cost. Over 3,000 people have been screened in two months and over 100 patients are now being provided with treatment free of cost. He said such programmes should be launched throughout the country to eliminate hepatitis by 2030.

“As many as 257 million people are living with hepatitis B and 71 million with hepatitis C, respectively. Pakistan, being number two in the world with HCV viremia prevalence of 5.8pc, shares a major disease burden,” he said.

In 2016, WHO launched a global campaign to eliminate hepatitis from the world by 2030 and July 28 is being observed as the World Hepatitis Day.

The day was observed on Friday at the Holy Family Hospital and a walk was organised by RMU in collaboration with Centre for Liver and Digestive Diseases, HFH, Rawalpindi, Society for Therapeutic Endoscopy Pakistan, Pakistan Society of Hepatology and Department of Community Medicine and Preventive Health.

The proceedings started with an awareness lecture by RMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohammad Umar who highlighted the theme of the day ‘Find the Missing Millions’.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2019