With around 12 million people in Pakistan are suffering from Hepatitis-B and C, the number is increasing by 150,000 every year, and around 80-percent of the carrier remain unaware of the disease after being infected just because of lack of awareness.
CEO of EHAD, Omer Aftab, said this while addressing an awareness seminar about viral hepatitis, here Monday.
Omer Aftab maintained that viral hepatitis is one of the biggest health threats in Pakistan. He said that mother to child transmission, unsafe injections, medical equipment, contaminated food, water, beverages, use of dirty utensils, the transmission of contaminated blood and other body fluids, injecting drugs, sharing needles and injury with blade or needle are different causes of this disease.
Talking about prevention, diagnosis and treatment, Omer insisted that everyone should remain conscious about what he is eating, drinking and using. Most people develop habits in adolescence so it is a responsibility of parents and teachers to educate children that they must not use someone else' toothbrush, razor blades, nail clippers or any item that might have blood on it - even if they can't see it. He advised parents and teachers to inform their children about positive health, hygiene and staying fit and healthy as it will lay the foundation for life-long health and well-being.