4.5 per cent Pakistanis infected with HCV, 2.5 per cent with HBV
Approximately 700,000 people die each year from hepatitis C related liver diseases while more than 686,000 people die every year due to complications in hepatitis B, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.
An estimated 240 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B and between 130 and 150 million people globally have chronic hepatitis C infection.
These are the alarming figures revealed by World Health Organisation, said Consultant Gastroenterologist at Shifa International Hospital (SIH) Dr Muhammad Salih.
The SIH organised an awareness campaign among patients and general public to mark World Hepatitis Day. In this regard, information stalls were placed in SIH, where all kind of information literature related to the hepatitis was available, including brochures, flyers, pamphlets and booklets.
Capital Development Authority Health Services Director Dr Hassan Urooj formally inaugurated the event. He interacted with the doctors and management of SIH and appreciated Shifa for arranging an informative session to promote prevention and healthy living.
A large number of people from twin cities joined the campaign, and found the campaign material informative and helpful in avoiding hepatitis and understanding the significance and severity of the disease. In addition, free screening for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) was also offered through lucky draw to the number of audience. All the patients with HBV and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) were also being provided free consultancy from qualified gastroenterologists.
Dr Salih said that the spectrum of chronic hepatitis C infection is essentially the same as chronic hepatitis B infection. He underscored that around 4.5 per cent of total Pakistani population is infected by hepatitis C whereas 2.5 per cent of the population is hepatitis B patient.
He said people in Asia Pacific acquire HBV and HCV infection through transfusion and transplant. Newborns of long-term carriers, individual with multiple sexual partners, intravenous drug users, healthcare workers, prisoners and other institutionalized people also acquire HBV and HCV infection, he added.
Highlighting clinical features of chronic liver disease, Dr Salih said, fatigue, vascular spiders, enlarged or shrunken liver, enlarged spleen, finger clubbing, ascites and bruising are some of the symptoms.
“Vaccine is the best way to prevent the disease in the healthy ones,” he stated.
Early diagnosis of HBV and HCV is very important in order to get rid of it and avoid liver failure which results in liver transplant, he said.
“Used syringe; used blade at barbers’ shops, tobacco and alcohol consumption and blood transfusion through unscreened blood can cause hepatitis. In order to avoid the virus the universal safety precautions are needed to observe,” he said.