It has been estimated that every 13th Pakistani is potentially infected with either Hepatitis B or C. According to estimates, overall prevalence of Hepatitis B and C is 3-4 (6 million infections) and 6-8 (7 million infections) respectively in Pakistan. With these facts it is estimated that about 15 million people somehow harbor hepatitis viruses in their bodies. The annual liver admissions and mor
talities in established GI & Liver Centers ranges from 25-35% in various parts of the country. All these put economic burden on health costs in budgets. Keeping in view the significance of this health problem, the Government of the Punjab has approved PC-I for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis covering the period 2009 to 2012, and allocated a sum of Rs. 2286.23 million for the above period. The mission is to adopt systematic approach to provide scientific foundation for the prevention, control and elimination of hepatitis virus infection in the Punjab and assist the public and professional in these activities. The main concept is to give sufficient, affordable, accessible and high quality preventive, primitive and curative program for hepatitis control in the Punjab. This will improve health status of the people of Punjab by protecting them from Hepatitis B and C. Objectives
Control the transmission of Hepatitis B and C
Reduce the mortality caused by the diseases
Provide free treatment to the poor and deserving patients. Educate and create awareness about the mode of transmission of disease. Capacity building through orientation and training of health professionals. Consolidate the Hospital Waste Management Systems in all Sentinel Sites / District Headquarter Hospitals in the Punjab. Strengthen laboratory and screening facilities in the Punjab. Provide free Hepatitis B vaccination to the high risk group in the Punjab
Main objectives for initiating the new project are:
Control the transmission of Hepatitis B and C
Reduce the mortality caused by the diseases
Provide free treatment to the poor and deserving patients. Provide free Hepatitis B vaccination to the high risk group in the Punjab
Activities
Hepatitis B vaccination to infants and high risk groups (ongoing). Increase awareness among the public by using all channels of communication. Develop, produce and disseminate health education material. Arrange training workshops for physicians, pathologists and medical superintendents. Implementation of Hospital Waste Management rules 2005. Provide medicine, vaccine, lab consumables, regents, safety boxes and syringe cutters etc. Achievements
Medicine for treatment of 16,000 hepatitis patients purchased and distributed among 38 sentinel sites in the Punjab. Computers purchased and distributed to develop data bank. Two fold folders on different aspects of hepatitis produced.
07 posters on different topics distributed in the Punjab. Regular Health Education Campaign through Radio, TV, and Press
38 Sentinel sites for diagnosis , screening and treatment has been established
A network of PCR Labs has been established to facilitate PCR testing.
