DUHS Celebrates World Hepatitis Day
KARACHI :28 July : Hepatitis has emerged as a major global health problem in Pakistan, calling for urgent prevention and control. Hepatitis B and C is usually transmitted through the use of infected blood, contaminated syringes during medical procedures and/or injection of drugs. However, diagnosing the disease at early stages as well as a proper treatment reduces the disease by 90 percent. Experts at a public awareness seminar organised by Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) to mark the World Hepatitis Day 2013, expressed these views. National Institute of Liver and GI Diseases, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) to commemorate the World Hepatitis Day organised a walk and public awareness seminar at its Ojha Campus, along with a free testing and screening camp for hepatitis. The walk, which began from the National Institute of Liver and GI Diseases (NILGID) ended at the OPD Block. During the march, participants carrying placards chanted slogan against hepatitis. Dr Rana Qamar Masood, Director-NILGID while speaking on the occasion said that hepatitis is spreading very fast, terming blood screening as ‘very important’ to know about such viruses. She also emphasized to observe ‘proper sterilisation measures’ during dental and surgical procedures in order to prevent such diseases from spreading. “Awareness is very important for the prevention of hepatitis. It is a disease, which if diagnosed at early stages coupled with proper treatment reduces risk by 90 percent,” she said. Dr Masood stressed to avoid unnecessary injections and create an awareness campaign regarding this deadly infection Briefing about the hepatitis treatment facility at DUHS, she informed that considering the lack of facilities, complications and costly treatment of liver diseases, Dow University has established the National Institute of Liver and GI Diseases at its Ojha Campus. “It is one of its kind, where all indoor and outdoor treatment facilities including the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and endoscopies will be provided at bare minimum cost,” said Dr Masood.
