RAWALPINDI: World Hepatitis Day was observed in the garrison city on Monday with an emphasis on involving the community by raising awareness, endorsing partnerships and mobilising resources.

The workshop was held at Rawalpindi Medical university (RMU) in collaboration with Centre for Liver and Digestive Diseases Holy family Hospital Rawalpindi, Society for Therapeutic Endoscopy Pakistan (STEP), Volunteer Force Against Hepatitis Transmission (VFAHT) RMU, VFAHT-SHIFA, and RCAP which are the volunteer force organizations against hepatitis in Pakistan.

Awareness lectures were delivered by RMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Umer and Cary James, Chief Executive of World Hepatitis Alliance at WHO.

This educational event aimed to provide doctors, nurses, participants and medical students with a comprehensive understanding of hepatitis, including its transmission, symptoms, prevention, and treatment options.

Other participants were Dr. Aftab Ahmed, President of National Academy of Young Scientists, Dr Mussarat Ishaq, Postdoctoral Consultant, Dr Tayyab Saeed Akhter, Gastroenterologist Liver Center Holy Family hospital, Dr Zahid Minhas, Consultant Gastroenterologist, RMU, Dr Farzana Shafqat, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Shifa International (STMU).

An awareness walk was organised starting from Rawalpindi Medical College and concluded at Administrative Block of Holy family Hospital. Doctors from different specialties, medical students, para- medical staff and patients participated in the walk.

They were holding banners representing the slogan “It’s Time for Action”. Informative brochures and booklets were distributed, highlighting preventive measures and screening testing in local language. Huge banners with similar information were also displayed in all tertiary care hospitals of Rawalpindi. Awareness massages were publicized through print, social and electronic media.

Speaking on the occasion, RMU Vice Chancellor Dr Mohammad Umer said that every third person of 10 in Pakistan was infected withhepatitisA or E, the most common variants which spread through contaminated water, adulterated food, reusing hypodermic needles, blades, and unsterilised surgical equipment.

He added blood transfusion without getting it screened was also a leading cause of the spread of this virus to a healthy person.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2024