To mark the World Hepatitis Day, which falls on 28th July each year, the Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences (LUMHS) Jamshoro arranged a "Public Awareness Walk" followed by a Seminar at LUMHS Jamshoro. While addressing the participants the Pro Vice Chancellor LUMHS Professor Muneer Ahmad Junejo expressed that the theme for the world Hepatitis day 2017 "Eliminating Hepatitis" is a simple call to action that everyone can get behind. Regardless of our priorities, the theme can be easily adapted for local use, to achieve elimination, greater awareness, increased diagnosis and key interventions including universal vaccination, blood and injection safety, harm reduction and treatment are all needed. Every activity that addresses viral hepatitis is a step towards eliminating it.
Professor Bikharam expressed that viral hepatitis is one of the leading causes of death globally, accounting for 1.34 million deaths per year. Together, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C cause 80 per cent of liver cancer cases in the world. He added that viral hepatitis is not found in one location nor among one set of people, it is a truly global epidemic that can affect millions of people without them even being aware. Currently, 90 per cent of people living with hepatitis B and 80 per cent living with hepatitis C are not aware of their status. This can result in the real possibility of developing fatal liver disease at some point in their lives and in some cases, unknowingly transmitting the infection to others.
Dr Nand lal Serani Gastroenterologist expressed that on World Hepatitis Day, the world joins together to drive action, to transform the lives of more than 300 million people and to play a part in the fight to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. Everyone has the power to influence real change in disease prevention, access to testing, treatment and care.
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