Awareness of hepatitis stressed

LAHORE: In connection with World Hepatitis Day, an awareness walk and seminar was held at Lahore General Hospital on Friday to create awareness about prevention, control and treatment of hepatitis B and C among the public.

While speaking to the media, Post Graduate Medical Institute Principal Prof Ghiyas-un-Nabi Tayyab said that hepatitis was not an epidemic disease and timely diagnosis and treatment could save maximum lives. He said that it was need of the hour that people at large should be informed about the disease which was spreading day by day and patients did not have exact information about it.

Dr Israr-ul-Haque Toor said that especially women should be careful in beauty parlors and men at barber shops. He said that two crore people were infected with hepatitis in Pakistan and they should come towards treatment as early possible. He also stressed upon the need that apart from medical, people from the media, social organisations should also come forward to create awareness among the masses about the disease. Prof Ghiyas un Nabi Tayyab and Dr Israr ul Haq Toor threw light on the causes and symptoms of hepatitis and said that clean water should be used in houses. They said if any complication was experienced anyone, he/she should immediately contact doctor for right treatment. They said now hepatitis D an E had also been noted which were very painful.

The speakers at the seminar said that marking International Day of Hepatitis was a good thing which would be helpful against patients. A walk was also held in Lahore General Hospital and doctors, paramedical staff and patients took part in it.

Meanwhile, the World Hepatitis Day was also marked at Shalamar Hospital to create awareness about hepatitis among the pubic. A special medical camp was set up and people were screened for hepatitis. In addition, special discounts were offered on different tests.

Dr Haroon Yousaf and Dr Iftikhar Yousaf delivered lecture on hepatitis, its causes and treatment and control options.

They said that reuse of disposable syringes, transfusion of unscreened blood, use of infected equipment in medical facilities, sharing razors and contaminated water use were the leading causes of hepatitis diseases. Shalamar Hospital Deputy Medical Director Dr Gul Afshan and Business Development General Manager Dr Irfan Ali Syed were also present.