Minister for Health Muhammad Nasir Khan told National Assembly on Thursday that one of the major causes of hepatitis is contaminated water. To a question, the minister said that the government has established sixty centres for hepatitis cure in the country, where the facility of free vaccination is available.
The hospitals have pathologists and skilled staff to look after the patients. Nasir Khan said that their target for the year is to treat 11,000 patients. We plan to build 150 more hepatitis centres, he added.
While replying to a question on preventive measures taken hepatitis spread by Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali during the question hour, the minister said, "prevention is better than cure". He repeated on several occasions that drinking water must be boiled before use. This is the best remedial step, he added.
Murtaza Satti pointed out that the drainage system of Bhurban hotel was defective and contaminated water was consumed in the locality where there are many hepatitis patients now. This polluted water down the hill reaches Simli Dam, which supplies water to Islamabad, he said.
Nasir Khan replied that the three main causes of hepatitis are contaminated water, blood transfusion and defective sewerage system. He admitted that sewerage lines in the country are badly worn out and need to be replaced. He said it is a huge job and requires lot of time and money, adding several cities, especially the big ones are heavily affected with polluted water.
He said that government realises this issue and was doing its best to overcome this problem. As an immediate step, the minister said, lot of filtration plants have been installed, but said, more steps are needed, including plan to change sewerage lines to provide clean drinking water to the citizens.
To another question, the minister said that the government has established sixty centres for hepatitis cure in the country, where the facility of free vaccination is available. The hospitals have pathologists and skilled staff to look after the patients. Nasir Khan said that their target for the year is to treat 11,000 patients. We plan to build 150 more hepatitis centres, he added.
He said that government was determined to provide clean drinking water to all by 2007. This, he stated, on the remarks of a treasury member who was not sure whether water problem would be resolved in the next year or not.
The Health minister also informed the House that polio would be eradicated completely by November 2006 according to the government plan. There are six countries that are still plagued with polio and Pakistan is one of them, he added.
Talking on the prevention and control of hepatitis, he said the government launched the Prime Minister's Programme on August 29, 2005 at a total cost of Rs 2.59 billion till 2010 for hepatitis control.
He said this programme is financed by federal government and is being implemented in all the four provinces including AJK, Fata and Fana.
Under this programme, among others hepatitis B vaccination in high-risk population would be carried out and safety of blood transfusion will be ensured. Safe injections, invasive medical devices and proper waste management, prevention and control of hepatitis A & E viral infection etc are also included.
The minister appreciated the efforts of private sector and sought their continuous support in eliminating the disease.
In a written reply, the Health Minister told the Assembly that there is a proposal for establishment of Liver Diseases and Transplantation Centre (LDTC) at PIMS, Islamabad. The cost of the eighteen months project would be Rs 427.165 million, he added.
Nasir Khan was answering a question from PPPP member Fauzia Wahab who had asked if there were any proposals of liver grafting in FGSH, Islamabad, PIMS, Islamabad and Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore.
The minister said PC-I has been approved for establishment of liver Transplant centre at the Sheikh Zayed Hospital. The process of recruitment and purchase of equipment has been initiated. The project would cost Rs 170.25 million and would be completed in 24 months, he added. Regarding FGSH, he said no proposal was under consideration.