HYDERABAD, Feb 15: The Jamshoro district health department, in collaboration with the Sindh Agricultural and Forestry Workers Coordinating Organisation (SAFWCO), organised a seminar on “Hepatitis-B and C: precaution, protection and treatment” in Kotri.

The seminar was aimed at creating awareness among people about hepatitis B and C. Speakers highlighted steps for prevention and treatment of the disease.

The focal person of the hepatitis programme in the district, Shahida Memon, gave a presentation on the spread of the disease through the use of syringes, transfusion of unscreened blood, use of un-sterilised equipment by dentists and barbers as well as use of one blade on multiple clients.

The participants were told that there were 2,600 registered cases of hepatitis in the district and out of them 1,702 patients had received treatment.

A health officer of the district said that 17 camps for Hepatitis-B had so far been organised in Jamshoro district.

The CEO of the SAFWCO, Suleman Abro, in his presentation said that according to the WHO report, about 10 million people in Pakistan were carriers of hepatitis.

He said that used syringes were the main source of spreading this killer disease. Quoting findings of a study, he deplored that only 63 per cent doctors in the country were registered practitioners.

The in-charge, Sindh Chief Minister’s Hepatitis Programme, Dr Abdul Majeed Chhutto, appreciated the efforts undertaken by the Jamshoro district government and other NGOs in creating awareness among the people against this disease.

He announced that 20 clinics would be established in remote areas of Thana Bula Khan taluka and 100,000 auto-disable syringes would be provided to the district government keeping in view the progress of the anti-hepatitis programme.