Steps Being Taken To Control Hepatitis

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Steps Being Taken To Control Hepatitis
Updated on 2004-09-28 07:37:16

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan : Sep 28 (PID) – The Government is cognizant of its role
in the control and prevention of hepatitis infections in the country and
steps are being taken in this regard in line with international
recommendations. This was stated by a spokesman of the Federal Ministry of
Health while commenting on reports by a section of the press regarding rise
of hepatitis infections in the country.

The spokesman said Hepatitis A & E are water-bome infections and are being
transmitted through contaminated water, food and unhygienic environment.
Effective preventive measures and sanitation helps control transmission of
infection.

Hepatitis B and C are chronic viral infections mainly contracted through
re-use of contaminated syringes and needles, unsafe invasive surgical
practices, sharps and through unscreened blood. The Government is according
top priority to public education regarding the modes of transmission,
emphasizing safety of injections. The spokesman added that legislation is
already in place to ensure that the law is strictly enforced both at the
federal and provincial level.

It was informed that blood transfusion authorities exist under this law to
monitor the blood transfusion practices and register blood banks. The
spokesman informed that “a disposable medical devices act” has been drafted
by the Ministry of Health to ensure safe disposal of syringes, surgical
instrument and sharps.

There is neither any cure nor any vaccination available for hepatitis C
clarified the spokesman. Adoption of preventive measures is thus emphasized
through public awareness campaigns being run by the Government.

In view of the increasing prevalence of Hepatitis B in the country, the
Government initiated Program in 2002 to provide free immunization against
Hepatitis B as part of its routine immunization Program of the EPI to all
children less than one year of age. The intervention which is being
supported by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) will
ensure that all future generations of Pakistan will be immune to Hepatitis B
infection. Moreover, the vaccination is being provided to children since the
risk of an infected person becoming a carrier drops from about 90% in the
first six months of life, to about 25% by the age of five years and to 10%
by the age of 15 years.

A PC-1 for prevention and control of Hepatitis B and C is being currently
processed. It envisages major interventions including social mobilization,
trainings of health personnel, management of patients and vaccination of
high-risk groups against Hepatitis B.