Health professionals have stressed upon the need for raising awareness about pre-emptive measures for hepatitis control and sought Ulema role in this regard. This consensus was developed in an awareness seminar organised by the Hepatitis Control Programme of the Punjab government to mark the World Hepatitis Day on Thursday.
Speakers said mass awareness with strong legislation is necessary to control hepatitis. Statistics showed that 5 to 10 percent of the population is affected with hepatitis. World-wide daily 4,000 people die from hepatitis.
Pakistan, being a high prevalence country for infectious hepatitis, has to take steps on war footing to adopt measures to prevent the spread of hepatitis in its masses. Eradication of this disease from Pakistan can only be possible through better awareness, prevention, care, support and access to treatment at all levels engaging various professionals like doctors, health workers, social workers and beauty salon staff. Punjab Health Director General Doctor Zahid Pervaiz, Professor Dr Ghayas Un Nabi Tayyab, Dr Aftab Mohsin made speeches for the public and media with leading key opinion leaders. Dr Pervaiz suggested three main methods of arresting the spread of the disease which are role of the media, role of the clerics (Ulema & priest) and strong and foolproof legislation. As for the media's role, he said that it would be worth the while if periodically advertisements appeared in the print media about the dangers of the scourge and ways to stave it off. Regarding the clerics, he said that the Ulema should be asked to highlight the need for the public to adopt preventive measures in Friday and other sermons. He said there should be foolproof legislation to see that the disposable syringes were destroyed right in the presence of the patient to avoid its recycling and transmitting the disease to other.
It is important to understand that infectious hepatitis is a preventable disease and public in general, policy makers and implementers need to be educated about the potential routes of spread and ways and means to check the spread from a diseased to a healthy person.
In Pakistan, Hepatitis A and E viruses are very common as the main causes of these viruses are polluted food and water. Hepatitis A and E viruses, causing endemic type of hepatitis with increased incidence towards the rainy season, spread by contaminated food and water. Provision of clean drinking water and improved sanitation can reduce the spread of this type of hepatitis substantially.
Dr Ghayas Un Nabi Tayyab said that approximately 1 in 12 people, or around 400 million people globally, have chronic viral hepatitis and most of them do not know they are infected. Whether in developed countries or under developed countries, people are equally suffering with hepatitis regardless to any caste or creed, religion or ethnicity, he said.
Dr Aftab Mohsin said hepatitis was a public health issue and impacts millions of Pakistanis. Viral hepatitis is among the top 10 infectious disease killers. Both chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C cause approximately 80 percent of the liver cancer. Various studies and statistics shows that 5 to 10 percent Pakistani population is affected with hepatitis, however in some areas this ratio is up to 35 percent, he mentioned.
Hepatitis B and C ratio is 8 percent to 10 percent and main reasons behind are unnecessary use of syringes, unsafe blood transfusion, usage of unsterile equipments in dental procedures etc. Usage of used blades in shaving is also a one common reason in rural area. HBV and HCV infections have a potential to turn chronic and cause the fatal complication of cirrhosis of liver if left untreated. HBV and HCV infections area transmitted by infected blood contaminated needles, surgical instruments and very close contact. HBV spread can be prevented by mass vaccination with the available preventive vaccine and in case of infected individuals a very effective suppressive therapy is available with a chance of cure as well.
Experts said that we need to implement the relevant laws very strictly specially Blood Transfusion Act 2002 and enforcement of infection control SOP's of Healthcare Commission Act in the public and private healthcare facilities to reduce the ongoing spread of HBV and HCV infection They emphasised the need for developing strong preventive measures, early diagnosis and getting the treatment early if tested positive.
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