WITH all indications that the spread of Covid-19 is having a downward trend in the country, health experts have issued a grave warning on Sunday that viral hepatitis is three to four times more lethal than the coronavirus infection as it is resulting in around 300 deaths daily in Pakistan. Speaking at an online awareness session in connection with World Hepatitis Day 2020, they said that at the moment, around 15 million were infected with hepatitis B and C in the country, but unfortunately, the majority of them were unaware that they were carrying these viruses silently and transmitting to others unknowingly.
The Coronavirus is being taken seriously not just Pakistan but also the entire world community because of its nature, spread and implications for health and life of the citizens. As against some other deadly diseases the virus of which spreads in specific circumstances, Coronavirus is transmitted in a somewhat unique manner as it sticks even to steel and remains on its surface for 72 hours posing a threat to all those who might get in touch with the infected surface. However, what health experts and gastroenterologists pointed out deserves serious consideration by our health planners and decision-makers as, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately, five and 10 million people are infected with hepatitis B and C respectively in Pakistan. Thousands of new patients are added every year due to lack of prevention, testing and treatment resources as well as inadequately screened blood transfusion, improperly sterilized invasive medical devices and unsafe injections. It is because of lack of proper awareness and criminal negligence on the part of the successive governments and people in the medical profession that around 300 to 325 deaths per day are ascribed to hepatitis, a figure much higher than Covid-19. A fraction of resources that are presently being devoted to anti-Covid-19 campaign could have made a remarkable difference in addressing viral hepatitis, saving lives of millions of people. It is regrettable that majority of patients are unable to bear the expenditure on treatment and government-run treatment programmes are inadequate in view of rapid increase in infection. Diagnosis of hepatitis is also costly and beyond the reach of the common man and, therefore, there is every reason that federal and provincial governments should formulate effective strategies and programmes including provision of safe drinking water to check spread of hepatitis. It has rightly been demanded by experts that screening of the entire population should be undertaken to diagnose all those having virus of hepatitis B or C.
