Your Liver Needs Care. Be Aware of Hepatitis

Report On the Awareness Session for World Hepatitis Day 2016

The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to eliminate Hepatitis C by the year 2030. To support this mission, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, organized a health awareness session on “World Hepatitis Day”, on Thursday, 28 July 2016. The session focused on creating awareness about Hepatitis B and C and their possible treatment options. 

​

The awareness session included a panel discussion by a group of senior medical experts. The discussions revolved around the affordable and effective treatment available for Hepatitis C and preventive measures for Hepatitis B. Audience were encouraged to undergo regular screenings to allow early detection of Hepatitis C, which if left undiagnosed may lead to development of liver diseases, including liver cancer.  The audience were informed about The Aga Khan University Hospital’s Laboratory Services’​ diagnostic package available for Hepatitis C, and how they can get themselves screened. 

While giving opening comments on the occasion, Dr. Saeed Hamid, Professor of Gastroenterology and Chair of the Department of Medicine, said that World Hepatitis Day is celebrated on July 28 every year to create awareness, debase myths about the disease and help people seek timely medical treatment for it. Highlighting the extra significance of the World Hepatitis Day this year, Dr. Hamid said that on 28 May 2016, 194  WHO member countries, including Pakistan, signed a resolution that by the year 2030, they will strive to eliminate viral hepatitis across the globe. He added that for Pakistan, this mission of viral hepatitis elimination will take action at societal and individual level and starts with awareness and screening for the disease.

Speaking on the prevention of hepatitis transmission, Dr. Rustam Khan, Assistant Professor at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, said that the focus should be on preventing perinatal transmission of Hepatitis B. Efforts should also be made to encourage routine vaccination of infants, and vaccination of all adults and children. In addition, there should be vaccination response check of adults in high-risk groups. 

​

Dr. Muhammad Kamran, a Gastroenterologist at The Aga Khan University Hospital highlighted that Hepatitis A and E​ are self-resolving and require symptomatic care. However,  Hepatitis B, C and D require specific anti-viral treatments which are easily available. 

The session was highly educational and was evident in the interest exhibited by the audience in the Questions and Answers session that followed later.  

​The audience commended the efforts of The Aga Khan University Hospital in spearheading initiatives in improving the general health conditions of the country and being the leaders in the health sector of Pakistan.