DERA BUGTI: A major campaign to diagnose and screen for Hepatitis B and C has been officially started in the Sui and Dera Bugti areas.
The campaign was formally inaugurated by Mir Aftab Khan Bugti, the younger brother of Balochistan’s Chief Minister. The event was attended by a large number of important figures, including the local MNA, tribal leaders, health department officials, and members of civil society.
Following the ceremony, Mir Aftab Khan visited the Indus Hospital in Sui. He inspected the medical facilities and was given a detailed briefing on the services provided to patients.
During his visit, he directed officials to further improve healthcare services. He stated that providing quality medical facilities to the public is the top priority of the Balochistan government.
He emphasized that awareness, timely diagnosis, and free treatment are key to fighting dangerous diseases like Hepatitis B and C. He urged all citizens to take part in the health campaign to help build a healthier society.
Also read:Balochistan faces alarming surge in Hepatitis cases, experts warn
Balochistan has witness an alarming increase in the number of hepatitis patients. More than 16,000 cases of hepatitis B and C have been reported so far this year.
According to detail, several districts of the Balochistan have been declared ‘high-risk areas’ for hepatitis, where the situation is particularly alarming.
A total of 14,434 cases of hepatitis B and C were reported in Balochistan during the year 2024, while more than 16,000 cases have been reported so far in the first seven months of this year.
According to medical experts, there are five types of hepatitis: The major causes of the spread of hepatitis B and C include the reuse of used syringes, contaminated medical equipment, unsafe hairdressing tools and unsafe blood transfusions into the human body, while hepatitis A and E are usually spread by drinking contaminated water or living in a dirty environment.
Health experts have termed the rapid increase in hepatitis cases in Balochistan as extremely worrying and said that there is an urgent need for effective measures to prevent the spread of the disease, especially in remote and backward areas of the province, creating awareness among the public and ensuring the provision of basic diagnostic and treatment facilities
