Globally, approximately 257 million persons are chronically infected with hepatitis B and 71 million with hepatitis C. At this rate, an estimated 20 million deaths will occur between 2015 and 2030. The official said that, unfortunately, the health ministry is spending massive funds on foreign visits and holding seminars and conferences but no tangible outcomes could be seen on the ground. Similarly, out of the total 4,556 healthy donors, a total of 177 were diagnosed with hepatitis C and 114 with hepatitis B. There is a vaccine for hepatitis B, which is being given to the children along with other vaccines that are really helpful in minimising the chances of hepatitis B; however, hepatitis C is very dangerous since there is no vaccine, and, if not treated at the initial stage, it could prove quite fatal. The Group also developed new hepatitis C treatment guidelines, which have been handed over to the provinces for use, he added.

Source: Pakistan Today November 16, 2017 16:18 UTC