Inadequate action by the negligent public health authorities has undoubtedly contributed to the country’s sharp rise in liver disorders over the past two to three decades. In terms of the prevalence of hepatitis C, a recent survey claims that Pakistan has surpassed the two most populous countries, China and India. Hepatitis C has spread globally and had terrible effects. It is also believed to be the cause of the rising death toll around the world. It is crucial to get tested for this condition because 95% of those who have it are unaware that they are ill. The Netherlands, Australia, Mongolia, India, and the Netherlands have all received awards for their work in spreading awareness of the illness. Around 150 million hepatitis C patients worldwide refuse medical care, which results in about 700,000 fatalities every year. Of the five forms of liver disease, hepatitis C is the most harmful and the only one for which there is no vaccine. Hepatitis C may not show symptoms for many years, but by the time it is identified, it may be too late to start treatment, and liver damage may progress to cancer. According to research from the British medical journal “Lancet”, viral hepatitis is one of the deadliest diseases in the world, the number of deaths due to which is equal to the number of deaths due to AIDS or tuberculosis. According to a report published in the journal, despite the availability of drugs and treatment for viral hepatitis, 1.45 million deaths occurred in 2013 due to its infections. According to the statistics of the World Health Organization, in the year 2014, 1.2 million deaths were related to AIDS, while 1.5 million people died due to tuberculosis. The World Health Organization has presented its global strategy to combat hepatitis.
According to statistics made public by a variety of organisations, there are 10 million people living with hepatitis C in Pakistan alone, and on average, 300 people die from the disease every day. Hepatitis C is referred to as the “silent killer” since it only becomes apparent after its effects have spread throughout the body. Hepatitis is a term used to describe liver inflammation, and the most prevalent forms are A, B, C, D, and E. According to medical professionals, if hepatitis C infection worsens, liver cancer may develop. They stress the need for the federal and provincial governments to expedite their efforts to eradicate it, since only achieving the WTO targets can prevent 1.5 million deaths nationwide. Hepatitis C is primarily disseminated by vaccination, the use of subpar syringes during medical procedures like dental work and blood transfusions, shaving, and risky procedures like nose and ear piercing. Health professionals underline in the daily seminars that increasing public knowledge is crucial to preventing the spread of hepatitis while postponing this task can increase cases. Additionally, the provincial governments ought to work together to advance this cause immediately.
