QUETTA: High prevalence of hepatitis is found in northern parts of Balochistan while the provincial government has been providing free treatment at its hepatitis centres in 28 districts, said Dr Ismail Mirwani of the Chief Minister’s Initiative for Control and Prevention of Hepatitis.

While addressing a news conference on Sunday, Dr Mirwani said: “Naseerabad, Jafarabad, Suhbat Pur, Sibi, Barkhak, Kohlu, Musakhail and Zhob have been declared as the most dangerous areas of Balochistan for hepatitis patients where hepatitis ratio has reached eight per cent.”

Official says high prevalence of disease found in northern districts of Balochistan

He said 64,000 patients had received free treatment for hepatitis over the past three years. More than 800,000 people in Balochistan had been screened for hepatitis, while seven million people had been vaccinated against the disease, he said, explaining that schoolchildren in 26 districts had been vaccinated against hepatitis.

Replying to a query, Dr Mirwani said hepatitis screening was being carried out at 150 centres established across the province.

He also highlighted the need for spreading awareness regarding the prevention of hepatitis.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2019