Hepatitis C sub-type 90% curable in Pakistan

[LahoreEstate]

Monday, May 18, 2009
Islamabad

Hepatitis C sub-type, which exists in Pakistan, is 90 per cent curable if appropriate treatment at proper time is ensured.

Renowned Consultant Hepatologist Prof Dr Muzzaffar Lateef Gill said the treatment of hepatitis B and C in the last decade has been revolutionised and high-level researches have also been conducted in Pakistan.

He said it is an easily controllable disease, but a mild lapse in precautions could lead to very disastrous consequences.

He said in Pakistan, there are two types of viral hepatitis. One is short-lived and self-limited, and is because of hepatitis A and E, which spread through the feco-oral-route, adding that the summer season epidemic of this type of acute hepatitis is very common throughout the developing world because of poor hygienic standards.

Dr Gill said Hepatitis C and B are blood borne diseases and usually chronic, and have long-term consequences. He said about 500 million people in the world population have exposure to hepatitis, with Pakistan being no exception.

According to him, every 12th individual among the Pakistani population is suffering from hepatitis B and C.

He suggested that there is a need to adopt a two-prong approach - one to prevent the spread of the disease and the second to have a foolproof treatment for everybody suffering from hepatitis B and C.

He said for prevention purposes, there should be universal vaccination for hepatitis B, which is almost in progress everywhere in the country. He said the most important aspect of prevention is screening of blood products, sterilised equipment, and better hygienic standards in barbershops.

A worldwide weekly injection along with ribavirin is the gold standard treatment that has a duration of 16-24 weeks. Regarding the Hepatitis B treatment, Pegylated interferon injection or tablet Entacavir is the current available gold standard.

Dr Lateef Gill said the national hepatitis C programme is running progressively, however, it needs certain refinements, as the availability of quality drugs is an issue.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=178238