Hepatitis-B and Hepatitis-C have assumed epidemic proportions in Malir area of Karachi and the
interior of Sindh due to a variety of reasons, while “fatty liver disease” caused by alcohol, obesity and
diabetes and Hepatitis-E among pregnant women were emerging as dangerous trends, said doctors on
Sunday.

　They warned against what they called the emerging liver disease of NASH (Non-Alcoholic
Steato-Hepatitis) and underlined the importance of creating awareness against this “impending danger”.

　Speaking at a press conference after the conclusion of three-day moot on liver diseases in the
country, Prof. Wasim Jafri, President of Pakistan Society for the Study of Liver Diseases (PSSLD),
said: “Nash is extremely common in people who are obese, especially females, who also suffer from
diabetes, wherein extra deposition of fat inside the liver results in chronic liver disease. It may then lead
to cirrhosis and may even cause the liver to decompensate”.

　He said: “Our recent research showed that around 18 per cent population of Malir and 33 per cent
population of Upper Sindh suffer from Hepatitis-C and the problem has been compounded because no
vaccine exists against this disease. “Each third person of Jacobabad district suffers from Hepatitis-B
and Hepatitis-D. It is an epidemic,” he added.

　Referring to a recent research in Punjab, Dr Jafri said that seven per cent population of Hafizabad
suffers from Hepatitis-C. “Fatty liver disease should not be taken lightly, it has no symptoms but
people with diabetes and overweight should get themselves diagnosed,” Dr Jafri suggested.

　He said unsafe blood transfusion, unnecessary injections and street dentistry were playing havoc
with the lives of the people. He said that owing to these factors, Hepatitis-A and Hepatitis-B have
become common, which, if not treated within six months, could cause liver cancer. He said it should be
a matter of utmost concern for the rulers that these diseases were increasing because of the said
factors, which were quite preventable.

　Dr Jafri lamented that the government hospitals did not sterilize and disinfect equipment, while
the same also lacked facilities for proper diagnosis of these diseases. He said private hospitals charge
around Rs 25,000-30,000 for diagnosing Hepatitis-B and Hepatitis-C, hence affordability of treatment
is a big issue for majority of the people. He added that ignorance and poverty were a stumbling block in
preventing the said diseases.

　Dr Saeed Hamid said that Hepatitis-E was increasing among pregnant women because of
contaminated water, which could prove fatal if not treated. He said it was heartening to note that a
vaccine was being invented for Hepatitis-E, which would benefit pregnant women. He suggested that
women should take properly boiled drinking water and eat home food in order to avoid such disease.

　Dr Zaigham Abbas said that piercing of nose and ears through infected equipment also cause such
diseases. The doctors urged the government to pay serious attention towards providing liver
transplantation facilities in the country, saying at least the capital cities of all the provinces should
have a liver transplantation program.

　Dr Jafri disclosed that they have set up a taskforce to look into the prospects in this regard.

　He regretted that foreign delegates prefer to avoid attending annual international conferences in the
city owing to the prevalent situation in the country.