Hepatitis cases alarmingly high in Balochistan

Quetta: The number of people affected by hepatitis is increasing every day in Balochistan and the overall rate of this deadly disease is around 05% while in some districts of the province this rate has reached 09%.

The alarming rate at which the rate of hepatitis B and C is increasing in Balochistan can be estimated from the fact that during the screening of 451,317 people in the province under the Hepatitis Control Program, 21,593 people were found to be suffering from hepatitis. The rate is around 05% while the rate is much higher in different districts.

Hepatitis Control Program Balochistan Provincial Coordinator Dr. Shoaib Aziz Kurd said: “Currently the rate of hepatitis B and C in Balochistan is 04 to 05 percent, however there are some of our districts which we call high risk districts including Naseerabad Division”.

He added that the rate is 08 to 09 percent higher in Jaffarabad and Sahabpur.

According to medical experts, the main reason for the spread of hepatitis B and C is the use of used syringes, use of contaminated medical and surgical instruments and the transfer of unscreened blood into the human body.

In addition, hepatitis A and E are spread by drinking contaminated water and consuming vegetables grown with sewage water.

According to medical experts, the lack of awareness and awareness regarding hepatitis in the province as well as the lack of diagnosis and treatment facilities and other resources at the district level is a major challenge in preventing its spread.

World Hepatitis Day is being observed today (Friday) to create awareness about deadly disease.

Annual observance focuses attention on the huge impact of viral hepatitis infection with more than 350 million people worldwide living with either chronic hepatitis B or C.