KARACHI: The Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) marked World Hepatitis Day amid growing concern regarding the alarmingly high rates of viral hepatitis in Pakistan, underscoring the need for concerted efforts to eradicate hepatitis C by 2030.
In this connection, SIUT held a day-long event featuring a range of activities designed to educate and inform the community about the disease, warning of the escalating threat of viral hepatitis in Pakistan under this year’s theme, "It's time for action".
A large number of people gathered at SIUT to avail free hepatitis screening and treatment facilities.
Sharing alarming statistics, experts at SIUT highlighted that Pakistan ranks fifth globally in combined hepatitis B and C cases, with over 12.6 million people affected by the disease. The country also bears the largest burden of hepatitis C worldwide, with 8.8 million affected individuals.
They said unsafe healthcare practices, injection therapy, lack of sterilization, and sharing of personal items have contributed to the rapid spread of the virus.
Hepatitis, a silent killer, often goes undetected, leading to severe liver damage, cancer, and even death. To combat this, experts stressed the importance of early detection, vaccination, and adopting preventive measures.
They stressed the necessity of practicing good hygiene, including boiling water for consumption, washing hands after using the restroom, changing diapers, and avoiding sharing personal items.
They advised using new syringes at clinics, fresh razor blades at barber shops, and sterilized equipment for dental, surgical, and cosmetic procedures.
Hospitals were urged to use blood products exclusively screened and issued by authorized blood banks registered under the Safe Blood Transfusion program.
The SIUT provides free treatment with dignity and compassion to all patients, irrespective of caste, color, creed, or religious beliefs.
As a pioneer in addressing Pakistan's critical organ shortage crisis, SIUT highlights the urgent need for liver transplants to save lives as end-stage liver disease patients depend on organ donors for survival. SIUT offers a dedicated OPD every Thursday from 2pm onwards for patients needing liver transplants.
The experts who spoke on the occasion included Dr. Abbas Ali Tasnim, Dr. Mudassir Laeeq, Dr. Zain Majid, Dr. Nadir Sattar, Dr. Nida Rasool Maher, and Dietician Ms. Kehkashan Zehra.