Hepatitis Cases Soar Above 3.9 Million in Punjab

The province of Punjab is currently facing a severe and alarming surge in hepatitis cases, with the patient count soaring to a staggering 3.9 million. This distressing situation highlights an urgent health crisis that demands immediate attention and effective intervention.

Startling reports reveal that among the 217 clinics spread across Punjab, only 23 are equipped with essential Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test facilities, which are crucial for accurate hepatitis diagnosis. Shockingly, less than 11 percent of these healthcare centers have the necessary diagnostic capabilities.

The gravity of the situation becomes evident when considering that more than 981,000 PCR tests for hepatitis have been conducted thus far. However, a major contributing factor to disease transmission is the alarming rate of syringe reuse, accounting for an astonishing 62% of cases.

Also Read: Pakistan is dealing with about ten million Hepatitis C cases.

Of particular concern is the prevalence of Hepatitis C, with Punjab alone reporting 76,000 cases. Given the chronic nature of Hepatitis C, immediate medical intervention is imperative, as untreated cases can result in severe liver damage.

Adding to the complexity of the issue, recent screening data has unveiled a troubling figure of 138,000 cases of Hepatitis B. This figure stands in stark contrast to the previous total of 400,000 cases when accounting for both hepatitis B and C combined.

As Punjab grapples with this daunting health crisis, swift and effective measures are of the utmost importance to halt the spread of the disease and safeguard the well-being of its residents.