Doctors call for urgent action to eliminate hepatitis

Sunsari, July 28 

Speaking at a programme organised on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, doctors said no concrete steps were taken to eliminate hepatitis although the number of patients suffering from the disease was increasing in the country.

The programme was organised by five different organisations working in the field of hepatitis in Dharan.

Every year three to four million people lose their lives because of hepatitis across the world, said doctors participating in the programme.

Dr Bikram Pradhan, chief at gastroenterology department, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, said though hepatitis cases were increasing every year, the government did not take steps to control it. He said the government was not serious about controlling hepatitis and saving the lives of patients suffering from the disease.

According to Dr Thapa, the number hepatitis B and C cases caused by random use of injectable drugs and unsafe sex are on the rise. Dr Pradhan said BPKIHS lacked equipment required for the treatment of hepatitis. “The disease can be diagnosed only after blood test but BPKIHS does not have necessary equipment,” Pradhan added.

Manish Maskey, a member of Sanjiwani Rehabilitation Centre, urged people to take preventive measures against the disease.