KARACHI: Experts at an awareness seminar told the audience that due to reuse of syringes, poor infection control, unsafe and unscreened blood transfusions, Pakistan had the highest rate of Hepatitis B and C where according to an estimate, over 15 million people were infected with the deadly viral disease.

They called for screening of the entire population of Pakistan for the viral hepatitis.

“Pakistan is faced with one of the highest new annual infection rates of Hepatitis C virus and is launching a new infection control and injection safety plan on the occasion of ‘World Hepatitis Day 2019’ to stop transmission,” said Dr Sajjad Jamil, president of Pak GI and Liver Disease Society (PGLDS) while speaking at an awareness session at Karachi Press Club on Saturday.

He added that majority of people infected with Hepatitis B and C were not even aware that they were infected and carrying the viral disease.

“It is immensely important that every Pakistani is scr­eened for Hepatitis B and C.”

Dr Jamil said Pakistan had emerged as the only country in the world where Hepatitis B and C infections were on the rise, adding, major cause of infection was lack of awareness, reuse of syringes, poor infection control, unsafe blood transfusions and use of unsterilised dental and surgical equipment in the country.

Dr Shahid Ahmed said every Pakistani needed to be screened for Hepatitis B and C.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2019