RAWALPINDI: A total of 863 hepatitis B and C patients were detected in the Rawalpindi District Health Department during the screening of citizens under the Local Hepatitis Elimination and Prevention Program (LHEAP) in the past two months.
The program, launched in Rawalpindi district by health authorities in collaboration with the Global Alliance to Eliminate Hepatitis, aims to create public awareness about the deadly virus and find the numbers that need to be investigated for prevention and prevention of the virus. Develop the best course of action to contain its future spread.
LHEAP director Dr Anser Ishaq told Dawn that since July 10, they had screened a total of 29,000 people and found 704 hepatitis C patients and 159 hepatitis B patients. He said 16,928 people have been fully vaccinated against hepatitis B, while 11,092 people have received the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine.
Dr. Ishaq said free treatment for positive patients has begun and pathological examinations for hepatitis patients will be conducted on two fixed days (Tuesday and Wednesday). He said that under the scheme, patients will get medicines for free.
The scheme was initially launched in Khayaban-i-Sir Syed and on August 1 in other union committees, he said. He said 20 teams have been formed to carry out the activity.
“Hepatitis testing is being provided door-to-door to residents, and vaccination and treatment are being provided free of charge. The program will be effective as there are still many people who test positive for hepatitis who do not know they have the disease,” he said, adding said special care was provided to pregnant women.
Dr Ishaq said: “Initially, the response was not good enough, but gradually we launched a publicity campaign to inform the local community about the scheme and now the response from the community is welcome.”
Published at dawn on October 3, 2023