Hepatitis B and C are spreading in the country speedily: Kh. Salman Rafique

Lahore: Advisor on Health Kh. Salman Rafique has said that the disease of hepatitis B and C are spreading in the country speedily.There is a need of creating public awareness about elimination of this disease and spreading the principle of “prevention is better than cure” in the society, he added.

While addressing a conference for controlling hepatitis held under the aegis of Health Department Punjab at Aiwan-e-Iqbal,   Kh. Salman Rafique said that disposal of hospital waste in a proper manner is essential and administrative doctors of government hospitals will have to realize their responsibility in this regard. He said that government will evolve a policy for the control of hepatitis in the light of recommendations presented by professionals in the hepatitis conference.

Kh. Salman Rafique said that government is paying special attention to the eliminate quackery for controlling hepatitis and also making legislation for declaring quackery as non-bailable crime and increasing punishment. He said that this fatal disease can only be controlled if besides government, people will also come forward to discharge their responsibility.

Addressing the conference, Secretary Health Jawad Rafique Malik said that the purpose of holding the conference is to renew the determination against hepatitis and sensitization of the medical experts associated with this sector. He said that hepatitis is a silent killer and there are more patients of hepatitis in the society than are registered with the Health Department. He said that a crackdown will soon be started against the substandard blood banks.