Hepatitis kills 1.4m people each year globally

KARACHI: World Hepatitis Day was recently observed at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) with an appeal to health planners and practicing professionals to work for the elimination of the menace jointly.

The theme of celebrating the day for this year is “Finding the Missing Millions." The primary objective behind observing the day and chalk out a daylong proceeding was to educate the masses about the ailment, which they may be living with unknowingly.

SIUT during the daylong activities, people in large numbers reported the institute for a free screening of Hepatitis B and C and vaccination of Hepatitis B along with ultrasound abdomen. The visitors were also apprised through audio-visuals about the prevention of hepatitis.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, hepatitis B and C affect 325 million people and lead to 1.4 million deaths annually. Hepatitis infects people ten times more than HIV. However, more than 80% of people living with hepatitis do not have access to prevention, testing, and treatment services.

The medical experts highlighted that hepatitis is preventable, treatable while hepatitis C, is curable. The visitors were also informed about the mode of transmission, treatment, and preventive methods of hepatitis including the use of boiled water for drinking, practice of hand washing before eating and after using washrooms and changing diapers, using new syringes, razor blades, and use of sterilized dental and surgical equipment in case of any procedure.

Senior Hepatologists, who were available throughout the day, answered the queries of the visitors. Change in the basic lifestyle and comprehensive dietary advice was also pointed out to the visitors as a part of prevention

The experts attended the visitors at SIUT included Dr Manzoor Siddiqui, Dr Farina Hanif, Dr Shoaib, Dr Mudassir Laeeq, Dr Ghous Soomro, Dr Nasir Luck along with with dietician Ms Kehkashan Zehra, and other paramedical staff.