THATTA, Nov 18: Hepatitis is rising at an alarming rate as in Sindh only some 1.7 million people are suffering from hepatitis-C and 15,000 from hepatitis-B, said Dr Abdul Majid Chhutto.

Dr Majid, Provincial Coordinator of Hepatitis-Free Sindh during a talk with journalists on Tuesday emphasised on coordinated efforts of the civil society for getting rid of the killer disease.

Dr Chhutto said that the programme to free the province of this disease would continue for three years with an estimated spending of Rs2.5 billion, allocated by the chief minister for best results.

He said Rs802 million had been earmarked for vaccination of infants against hepatitis-B and around 1.4 million infants would benefit from it within six weeks of their birth.

He said according s to the programme, some 50,000 patients of hepatitis-C and 6,000 of hepatitis-B would be provided free medicine for which tenders had been invited and the vaccine would to be available from December 10 to 15.