LAHORE: Lahore General Hospital (LGH) organised a hepatitis awareness walk on Wednesday as part of a determined campaign to eliminate the disease from Punjab.
The walk was led by Ameeruddin Medical College Principal Prof Dr Muhammad Farooq Afzal, and participated by doctors, nurses and paramedical staff.
Addressing the participants, Prof Dr Muhammad Farooq Afzal said timely screening and early diagnosis remained the most effective tools to prevent hepatitis and reduce its devastating impact.
He said LGH was providing free diagnostic and treatment facilities for hepatitis patients, including medical check-up, laboratory tests, medicines and comprehensive care under the Punjab government’s healthcare initiatives.
Prof Dr Ghiyasun Nabi Tayyab described hepatitis B and C as “silent killers”, explaining that the diseases often remained symptomless in their early stages. He urged every healthy individual to undergo regular screening and warned that hepatitis spreads through unsafe blood transfusion, reused syringes and non-sterile dental instruments.
Health experts said nearly 10 million Pakistanis were living with hepatitis B or C, while thousands die every year due to liver cancer and liver failure caused by the disease.
They said common symptoms include persistent fatigue, weakness, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in the upper right abdomen and dark-coloured urine.
They also emphasised the need for strict monitoring of beauty salons to prevent the spread of infections.
Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2026
