SANGHAR, May 28: At least 17 people have been diagnosed with Hepatitis-B in the Ismail Janwari village, near Perumal, some 35 kms away from here.

The other villagers could not get themselves tested due to being extremely poor.

People are suffering from the disease in the villages of Ali Anwar Junejo, Haseeb Chandio, Fidan Shar, Ajiz Ujjan and Sahino Faqir. Some people are also suffering from the disease in the villages near Gup Chhani, Shahpur Chakar and Khadro of Sinjhoro Taluka.

In some cases, entire families have been diagnosed with Hepatitis-B.

The names of 10 people who have been diagnosed with the disease in the Ismail Janwari village have been ascertained as Pahelwan, his wife, and son, Sain Bux; Ghulam Rasool, his son, Bahar, and his two brothers, Abbas and Razi; and Shakeel Abbas, Mohammad Hayat and Khamiso.

At least 25 people have died due to Hepatitis-B during the last 12 months and the number of patients is increasing day by day.

When this correspondent tried to contact the EDO (health), he was not available.

However, it was learnt from the EDO office that at least 300 people have been vaccinated in the above-mentioned villages.

The representatives of the district government said that steps should be taken on an emergency basis as thousands of vaccines were required against Hepatitis-B.

It was learnt that quacks and barbers were responsible for the spread of the disease. Another major source for its spread was the re-use of disposable syringes.

LOAN RECOVERY: The Zarai Taraqiati Bank has started a loan recovery drive in Sanghar.

On Wednesday, the team recovering loans, along with policemen, visited Chambar Dahri, Berani, Bakhso Nizamani, Ghulam Nabi Dero and other villages.

The bank officials have warned that mortgaged property of the defaulters would be auctioned if they did not return their loans.

BRIBE: A game inspector of the wildlife department, Rahim Bux Hisbani, was caught red-handed while receiving bribe from a man on Wednesday.

The official was arrested by a team of the Anti-Corruption Establishment for taking Rs5,000 from Jumo Bheel, who possessed a pair of partridges but did not have a license.