RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Viral hepatitis is three to four times more lethal than Covid-19 as it is resulting in around 300 deaths daily in Pakistan, health experts and gastroenterologists said, adding that at the moment, around 15 million are infected with Hepatitis B and C in the country but unfortunately, majority of them are unaware they are carrying these viruses silently and transmitting to others unknowingly.

“Thousands of new patients are added every year due to lack of prevention, testing and treatment resources as well as inadequately screened blood transfusion, improperly sterilized invasive medical devices and unsafe injections”, Dr. Lubna Kamani, a senior consultant gastroenterologist said while speaking at an online awareness session in connection with World Hepatitis Day 2020 on Saturday.

On the occasion, winners of an international poster competition organized by PGLDS in collaboration with Project Polaroid (a non profit organization founded by school children) for the youngster on the theme of World Hepatitis Day 2020 were also awarded certificates and cash prizes. The first position was bagged by Ibrahim Arshad, 2nd position was shared by Aisha Panda and Daanya Nadee while third position in the competition was secured by Fizza Mujahid.

Addressing an online seminar or webinar, organized by the PGLDS, Dr Lubna Kamani, a consultant both at Liaquat National and Aga Khan hospitals, said theme of World Hepatitis Day 2020 is ‘Finding the Missing Million,’ which means that around 290 million people are living with viral hepatitis in the world without knowing their health status.

PGLDS president Dr Sajjad Jamil called for joint efforts to raise awareness about viral hepatitis in Pakistan, saying hepatitis can be eliminated or controlled in Pakistan if collaborative efforts are started and people are made aware of the preventive measures so that they could prevent themselves and their families from the lethal, blood-borne viral infection.

On the occasion, he urged the people to get their children vaccinated against Hepatitis B.

Several other health experts including former registrar Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) Prof Amanullah Abbassi, Dr Hafeezullah Shaikh from DUHS, Dr Nauman Zakir from Lahore and Dr Jibran Umer Ayub Khan from Kabir Medical College, Peshawar also spoke on the occasion.