PESHAWAR, Oct 16: The federal government is taking several preventive measures against hepatitis, including providing facilities aimed at ensuring safe blood transfusion in 60 hospitals, experts said here on Monday.

Speaking at a workshop held for skill development of laboratory staff about hepatitis, National Manager for Prime Minister’s Hepatitis Control Programme Dr Sharif Ahmad expressed concern over what he called the alarming spread of the disease in the country and underlined the need for timely preventive steps. The workshop was attended by pathologists and laboratory technicians from various district and agency headquarters hospitals.

He said a surveillance system to detect hepatitis and other diseases was being established in the country.

He said 50 filtration plants would be installed in hospitals to prevent spread of hepatitis A and E and 48 incinerators would be installed to dispose of waste.

Dr Ahmad said efforts were in progress for indigenous preparation of hepatitis B vaccine and interferon.

Provincial Coordinator of the Programme Dr Ihsanullah Turabi said 1,020 hepatitis patients were being provided treatment under the programme in the province.

He said hepatitis B vaccination of about 10,000 prisoners in the province had been started.

He said viral hepatitis management committees had been established in 12 districts in the province and focal persons had been appointed for them.

He said the programme would be extended to eight more districts during 2006-7.