KARACHI, Dec 2: Indifference towards mandatory sterilisation of equipment by dental as well as medical professionals coupled with unwarranted administration of therapeutic injections, drips and unscreened blood transfusion remain the major factors contributing to a five to seven per cent prevalence of Hepatitis-B and C in Pakistan.

Senior hepatologists of the country, addressing a press conference here on Sunday at the conclusion of a three-day moot organised by the Pakistan Society for Study of Liver Diseases (PSSLD), said wrong notions among the general public with regard to therapeutic injections, even for self-limiting fever and blood transfusion to gain strength, had caused certain areas to register a Hepatitis-C prevalence of as high as 18-40 per cent.

Experts including Dr Wasim Jafery, Dr Said Hamid and Dr Zaigham Abbas mentioned that the situation was particularly terrible in the context of Hepatitis-C as there was no preventable vaccine and the only option left was proper education of people as well as the medical community to avoid factors that may make people vulnerable.

“Hepatitis-C has assumed almost epidemic proportions in our country with high chances of severe liver conditions which can be and are fatal”, Dr Abbas said.

Seeking strong will at all levels to counter the situation, the speakers said that since the government has taken upon itself to combat Hepatitis-B and including the Hepatitis-B vaccination in EPI and also ensuring its easy availability for the masses, a marked decline could be registered in its incidence across the country.

“Hepatitis-B, which, till a few years back inflicted seven per cent of the population, is presently reported to have receded to three per cent to five per cent”, Dr Jafery said.

First year life vaccination provides absolute immunity against Hepatitis-B, speakers said, while adding that a healthy adult administered with the vaccine also does not necessarily need boosters.

Speakers also referred to difficulties associated with the diagnosis of Hepatitis-B and C mainly due to the cost factor and also the non-availability of relevant diagnostic facilities in the large majority of public sector hospitals in the country.—APP