Maroof Int’l Hospital organizes seminar to raise awareness about Hepatitis

Naveed Ahmad Khan       Photo by:Ghulam Farid 

ISLAMABAD: Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand, Chairman of the Standing Committee of National Health Services Regulation & Coordination of Senate said “Many people contract the hepatitis infection unknowingly, because of the reuse of syringes, dental equipment, and barber shop equipment.” He added, “highly effective treatments for hepatitis C can cure the infection in over 96% of people, and two lethal forms of viral hepatitis – Hepatitis B & E – can be prevented through vaccination.”

He expressed these views while speaking as a chief guest on the occasion of the World Hepatitis Day event organized by Maroof International Hospital. Haroon Naseer, CEO, of Maroof International Hospital, welcomed the guests and audience on the occasion.

The Senator further said “We need to focus on disease prevention through awareness and vaccination, and in the case of Hepatitis C in particular, elimination through treatment and cure.”

Speaking on the occasion, Haroon Naseer, CEO, of Maroof International Hospitalurged that government and private sector should work together to ensure the hepatitis vaccination process.

Haroon Naseer also informed that Maroof International Hospital was the second hospital in the region among private hospitals which provided free COVID vaccination to thousands of people under the instructions of previous govt of PTI.

The first secretary of UK Health Security Agency, Dr Muhammad Sartaj highlighted the importance of Hepatitis surveillance. He said surveillance is a critical component of a comprehensive strategy to prevent and control infection and further stressed the need working together with different organization.

Sharing the background and history of Hepatitis Day, Dr. Usman Aftab Ahmad, Consultant Gastroenterologists MIH, said there is a need to lay emphasis on hepatitis vaccination programs. Dr. Usman presented detailed information about Hepatitis. He added World Hepatitis Day creates an opportunity to educate people about the burden of these infections. He appreciated the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s efforts and actions to combat viral hepatitis around the world.

He said the virus is commonly transmitted from mother to child during birth and delivery, blood transfusion and other body fluids with an infected partner, unsafe injections, and exposure to sharp instruments. Dr. Usman elaborated that Pakistan is a middle-income country and has limited resources. Therefore, it should focus more on devising and implementing effective preventive strategies to reduce the disease burden of hepatitis C.

Dr. Ayesha Waqar Niazi, Consultant Gastroenterologist, MIH highlighted the awareness of hepatitis, while speaking about chronic hepatitis B and its complications, said it is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease.

Dr. Ayesha stressed that such alarming statistics could be avoided through the timely testing, treatment, and vaccination of infants. The health expert pointed out that these strains of hepatitis can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, and other conditions.

Meanwhile, Haroon Naseer, CEO, of Maroof International Hospital exclusively talking to Daily The Spokesman informed that the purpose of this event was to create awareness among health professionals and the community to fight against hepatitis. The organizers agreed on the need to convey the urgency to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.