World Hepatitis Day: Every 12th Pakistani carrier of Hepatitis B,C

Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology said that two –prong approach needed: one was to prevent the spread of the disease; the second approach was to have foolproof treatment for the carrier of hepatitis B&C.Highlighting the need to create awareness among the masses about the symptoms, preventive measures and timely treatment of the disease Dr Gill said, “ In Pakistan there are two types of viral hepatitis, one is short lived and self-limited, hepatitis A&E, which spreads through fecooral-route. In summer season epidemics of the disease are common in the developing countries due to poor hygienic condition while hepatitis B&C is a blood born disease and usually chronic and has long term consequences.He said that five hundred million people in the world’s population were exposed to the hepatitis.Dr Gill said that the treatment of hepatitis B&C was revolutionized in the last decade and hepatitis C sub-type, which exists in Pakistan, was 90% curable, with appropriate medication at appropriate time.Professor Gill said that for the prevention purposes, there should be universal immunizations for hepatitis B, which was almost in progress everywhere in Pakistan, adding that screen of blood products, sterilized surgical equipment and better hygienic standard in barbershops were the most important prevention measure against the disease.Dubbing Prime Minister Programme for Hepatitis C as a good effort, he said it marks a tremendous progress in the country. “It is good start but it needs certain refinements”, he added.Pointing out quality of drugs available for the patients in the country, Dr Gill expressed concerns over the quality of injection , which was being supplied by the PM Programme, adding that if first time treatment was not done rightly then it becomes very difficult to treat them subsequently.