World Hepatitis Day observed at SIUT

KARACHI: The Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) observed World Hepatitis Day on Friday, with a special focus on an appeal to health planners and practising professionals to work collaboratively for the elimination of the menace.

This year's theme for World Hepatitis Day was "Find The Missing Millions."

The main objective behind observing the day and chalk out day-long proceedings was to educate the masses about an ailment that they may be living with unknowingly.

A large number of people showed up at the SIUT for a free screening of Hepatitis B and C, as well as vaccination of Hepatitis B and abdomen ultrasound. They were also apprised through audio-visuals about prevention of Hepatitis.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally-viral hepatitis B and C affect 325 million people and lead to 1.4 million deaths annually.

Hepatitis infects people 10 times more than HIV. However, more than 80 percent of people living with Hepatitis do not have access to prevention, testing or treatment services. 

Medical experts highlighted that Hepatitis is preventable and treatable, while hepatitis C is curable.

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

Senior hepatologists were available throughout the day to answer the visitors' queries. Information on a change in the basic lifestyle alongside comprehensive dietary advice was also provided to the visitors as a part of prevention drive.

The experts at SIUT comprised Dr Manzoor Siddiqui, Dr Farina Hanif, Dr Shoaib, Dr Mudassir Laeeq, Dr Ghous Soomro, Dr Nasir Luck, dietician Kehkashan Zehra, and other paramedical staff.