ISLAMABAD: Speakers at ‘1st Annual HCV Management Symposium’ on Friday called for well thought-out efforts at individual and institutional level to eradicate the growing nuisance of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) from the country.

The two-day event was organized by NUST Centre of Virology and Immunology (NCVI) in collaboration with Higher Education Commission (HEC).

The developing countries like Pakistan have become susceptible to health hazards, owing to unprecedented increase in pollution due to industrial mobilisation at a fast pace and other related reasons,the speakers observed.

The theme of the seminar was to share knowledge, new research areas, unexplored territories and experiences regarding Hepatitis C virus and associated diseases.

Addressing on the occasion, Adviser Science COMSTECH, Dr. Anwar Nasim asserted one of the most serious contemporary challenges that the human society faced was to effectively cope with the life threatening diseases.

Human health is the most precious asset for any nation without which it becomes too weak to confront the emerging challenges.Hepatitis C is an infectious disease of the liver that in majority of cases acts as a silent killer and is rising alarmingly throughout the world including Pakistan, he said.

He appreciated the efforts of NUST for establishing Centre of Virology and Immunology with state-of-the-art laboratories and staff comprising distinguished and experienced scientists.

Eulogising the endeavours the university has taken towards the promotion of science and technology, he stressed the need for dissemination of scientific information that could help confront challenges of diversified nature.

Principal NCVI, Dr Ishtiaq Qadri, earlier in his address, pointed out that epidemics of HCV had plagued the entire developing world including Pakistan.

HCV associated diseases impose heavy burdens on national economies and individual families due to costs arising from acute and chronic morbidity and mortality.

The symposium aimed at addressing Hepatitis C spread in Pakistan, which is the major cause of liver diseases like liver steatosis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, he maintained.

He said that they have tried to provide a forum whereby the investigators from across the country could introduce new work for peer review and discussion focusing on HCV management.

Dr. Muhammad Idrees from CEMB gave his presentation on the changing epidemiology pattern and frequency distribution of HCV in Pakistan. He said that the specific objective of this study was to find out the frequency distribution of Hepatitis C Virus in the country.

He said that changed HCV genotype pattern might have direct impact on HCV disease outcome and new therapeutic strategies may be needed.

The participants of the symposium were scientists, clinicians, clinical pathologists, students and selected members of the community.