HYDERABAD, April 14 Deaths because of hepatitis were on the increase in the interiors of Sindh, said Sindh Agriculture University Vice-Chancellor Dr Abdul Qadir Mughal.

But the poor of the province were not aware of the killer disease, he said on Tuesday at the launching of a three-day campaign to diagnose hepatitis B and C, at the university dispensary.

The vice-chancellor urged the government to launch an awareness drive in rural areas about hepatitis on the pattern of polio campaign. Social organisations and philanthropists could help eradicate the killer disease, he suggested.

Dr Mughal also stressed the need for identifying the causes of hepatitis, saying that media could play a pivotal role in creating awareness among the people about this dangerous disease.

Dispensary Management Committee chairman Dr K.B. Mirbahar said on the occasion that the university was working with the Fatmeed Foundation on a project of blood grouping.

After its completion, efforts would be made to obtain vaccine for the affected patients, he said and added that the university would do everything possible to take care of the poor employees and their children.

Many university teachers and employees attended the event.