KARACHI: More than 80% people, out of a sample taken from the city and outskirts of Thatta, tested positive for hepatitis B and C during a screening in a two-day free medical camp in the city, according to a report by a private media
A medical and surgical camp was organised at Qadir Bux Bhutto Trust Hospital’s building by Hashmanis Medical and Welfare Foundation, a Karachi-based charity organisation.
The facts were shared by the foundation’s chairperson and renowned eye surgeon, Dr Sharif Hashmani, while addressing a media briefing held at Hashmanis Hospital.
More than 25% people were found diabetic after laboratory tests, Dr Hashmani said. As many as 123 cataract operations were performed on patients during the two days, he added.
Commenting on factors which had led to the spread of hepatitis, Dr Hashmani said unhygienic conditions, use of unsterilised dental equipment by quacks, reuse of syringes and blades used by barbers were the major causes behind the spread of the deadly disease.
Dr Hashmani said if patients had immunity, they would resist the further spread of the disease, otherwise, they would suffer from a chronic phase which would affect their liver. He demanded that the health department conduct camps to ascertain the total number of hepatitis B and C patients in all the districts of the province.