KARACHI: Medical science experts and healthcare professionals on Saturday urged the government to make hepatitis B and C screening mandatory for getting new computerised national identity cards (CNICs) and the renewal of old ones amid growing number of cases in the country, home to around 15 million hepatitis patients.

They demanded that all union committees and the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) link the issuance of birth certificates and Form-B with the mandatory administration of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth of a child.

They were speaking at the 6th annual conference of Pakistan Gastrointestinal (GI) and Liver Disease Society (PGLDS) at a local hotel.

Leading gastroenterologists and hepatologists from Middle Eastern, Far Eastern, European countries as well as the United Sates, different cities of Pakistan attended the conference to discuss challenges and advancements in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology.

Annual conference of Pakistan Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Society concludes

They deplored that hardly three per cent of children were given hepatitis B vaccine at the time of birth in Pakistan.

“There are around 10 million people living with hepatitis C while around five million people are affected by hepatitis B in Pakistan,” said Dr Lubna Kamani, renowned gastroenterologist while addressing the concluding session of the conference on stomach and liver diseases.

“Unfortunately, most of these people are undiagnosed and spreading the deadly disease unknowingly to other. Nadra should not issue CNICs and renew them without screening hepatitis B and C status of a person,” the doctor suggested.

Dr Kamani, who is also the president of PGLDS, deplored that unnecessary injections, use of contaminated razors and needles, and unsafe medical practices are major contributors to the spread of hepatitis B and C in Pakistan, adding that intravenous drug users are also at a significantly higher risk of contracting hepatitis B and C.

“The annual death toll due to complications from hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections is substantial. Estimates suggest around 12,100 people die from hepatitis B and 19,000 from hepatitis C each year,” she added.

Patron-in chief of the PGLDS Prof Dr Shahid Ahmed called for learning from Egypt for elimination of viral hepatitis, especially hepatitis C, saying that in 2018 the Arab country authorities launched “100 Million Healthy Lives” campaign aimed at screening the entire adult population (over 18 years old) for hepatitis C.

“This ambitious project utilised a massive network of over 6,000 fixed testing sites and 8,000 mobile teams, reaching even remote areas,” he said.

“Testing and treatment were made widely accessible and free. This eliminated financial barriers and encouraged participation in the programme. Egypt negotiated lower prices for direct-acting antiviral treatments (DAAs), the most effective drugs for hepatitis C. This not only improved affordability but also drove down global DAAs prices, benefiting other countries.”

He said that hepatitis C is curable as new and highly effective medications called Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs) have revolutionised treatment.

The DAAs offer short treatment courses (typically 8-12 weeks) with cure rates exceeding 95pc in most cases, he added.

On the other hand, Prof Ahmed said although there is currently no cure for hepatitis B but there are very effective antiviral medications that can suppress the virus, prevent liver damage, and reduce the risk of complications like cirrhosis and liver cancer.

“These medications can be highly effective in controlling the virus, with some people achieving undetectable viral loads for years, significantly reducing the risk of transmission,” he added.

Dr Sajjad Jamil, another leading gastroenterologist, said both hepatitis B and C have effective treatment options available.

“Hepatitis B treatment focuses on suppressing viral replication and preventing liver damage, while hepatitis C treatment with DAAs offers high cure rates and improved outcomes for patients with chronic HCV infection,” he added.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2024