Thank you to Prof., Dr. Muhammad Sadik Memon, MBBS, FCPS (Gastro), FCPS (Med), MACP, MAGA, for his personal reflection from World Hepatitis Day, 2012 events in Pakistan.
Gastroenterologists, family physicians, GPs, postgraduate students and para- medical staff all participated in the open discussion.
The program was started in the name of “Almighty Allah” and a recitation from the Holy Quran.
Dr Iqbal Haroon, Director of Hajiyani Hospital, was the moderator of the open discussion.
“It is closer than you think” was the theme of this year’s World Hepatitis Day, and the open discussion focused on raising awareness on the different forms of viral hepatitis: what they are, how they are transmitted, who is at risk, and the various methods of prevention and treatment.
Professor, Dr. Sadik Memon, organizer of this event, said that in Pakistan, many patients have lost their lives at the hands of quacks, so Pakistan needs the strictest possible laws to fight against these quacks, and must eradicate these deadly liver diseases.
Dr. Sadik Memon further described how in Pakistan millions of people are infected with HBV . He added that every 10th to 12th individual in the Pakistani population is infected with hepatitis B or C ,which far exceeds the numbers from the last big earthquake in Pakistan. It is essential that Pakistani doctors unite to save human lives and spare them of these deadly diseases.
The most important aspects of prevention are hepatitis B vaccination, the screening of blood products, sterilized equipments and better hygiene standards in barber shops.
Dr. Waqar, focal person of the Government Hepatitis Program, discussed the efforts of the Sindh government regarding the hepatitis program. He said that thousands of peoples from Sindh are receiving free interferon and anti- viral therapy from Zakat and Bait-ul-mal funds.
Before the end of open discussion Dr. Aamir Ghouri gave thanks to the audience, the guests of honor, and also the Roche Pharmaceutical company for sponsoring such a wonderful event in this blessed Month of Razman.
After completing the open discussion, DUA, (prayer) was performed for patients who are suffering from liver diseases by the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences staff. Another open discussion was followed by Iftaar dinner. It was a memorable World Hepatitis Day.