Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The re-use of syringes by health care providers for common ailments are main reasons for the rapid spread of the Hepatitis viral infections, Medical Expert, Dr. M Rehan Uppal said on Monday.

Talking to PTV news, Dr. Rehan urged the medical practitioners to avoid administering injections to patients as far as possible to save them from falling victim to the deadly disease.

There is a need to create awareness against such practices, not only among the people, but also paramedics and other health officials, said Dr Rehan.

He said that these diseases are spreading at an alarming rate across the country, particularly in rural areas, due to lack of knowledge about their prevention.

He revealed that mostly the disease is caused by quakes who administer injections to several patients with one syringe without sterilising it.

While alerting people about the risks of contracting Hepatitis from unsafe blood, unsafe injections and sharing needles said people should emphasis the use of new syringes at clinics, razor blades at barber shops, and sterilised dental and surgical equipment in case of procedures.

Before blood transfusion, people should check that it has duly been screened for hepatitis B and C, he added.

Specialist said that diagnosing the disease at an early stage and proper treatment can reduce the disease by 90 per cent.

He said salons in urban areas are hygienic; it’s not the case in rural areas. “Barbers use old knife. The blade is used over and over again,” he added.

People should adopt cleanliness habits and better hygiene to remain safe from the ailment. He said that daily bath, cutting of nail and wearing of clean dresses could save the people from host of ailments.

He said that hepatitis C is the most common cause of liver cancer and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide.