LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: The number of hepatitis patients in Punjab has surged to over 3.9 million, revealing a pressing health crisis that requires immediate attention.
Official records indicate that among the 217 clinics in Punjab, a mere 23 possess Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test facilities – an essential diagnostic tool for accurate hepatitis detection. Alarmingly, less than 11% of clinics are equipped with this technology.
Reportedly, over 981,000 PCR tests for hepatitis have been conducted to date.
The documents also highlight a disturbing fact: a significant 62% of the disease’s transmission is attributed to the repeated use of syringes.
Among those most affected are individuals grappling with Hepatitis C, with Punjab reporting over 76,000 cases. Hepatitis C has a reputation for evolving into a chronic condition, potentially causing severe liver damage if untreated.
This situation is exacerbated by recent screening data, revealing an alarming 138,000 cases of Hepatitis B. This number stands in stark contrast to the previously documented 400,000 cases of hepatitis B and C.
