Contaminated syringes blamed - 15m Pakistanis infected with hepatitis viruses: WHO

MN Report

Karachi: Dow Diagnostic Reference and Research Laboratory (DDRRL) organized a workshop on “Skills Enhancement and Professional Development for Health Care Workers” and CME session for physicians on “Interpretation of PCR for Quantification of Hepatitis Viruses” at Dow Lab Collection Centre, Sukkur.

Over 200 people of Sukkur got their blood screened for hepatitis B and C at a camp organized on the occasion.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Saeed Khan, Organizing Secretary & Associate Professor and Head of Molecular Pathology department, highlighted the efforts of DUHS in providing quality and affordable health care and diagnostics facilities to the citizens.

He said that the World Health Organization (WHO) has ranked Pakistan 2nd among the world with high rates of chronic infections and, according to WHO, 15 million Pakistanis have already infected with hepatitis viruses, contaminated syringes being a main source of transmission.

Highlighting the importance of screening population for hepatitis, he said that Pakistan is among the top syringe consuming countries where 2.4 billion syringes are used every year. He also underscored the need for conducting training programmes and workshops for increasing awareness about hepatitis virus as well as for encouraging safe practices among physicians and health care workers.

Later, he delivered a lecture on “Interpretation of PCR for Quantification of Hepatitis Viruses” and explained the PCR technique and its application in detection, quantification and monitoring of viral hepatitis, including hepatitis B, C and D.

He also explained the international guidelines and interpretation of the PCR results and treatment decisions when to continue the treatment or to stop the therapy.

Bio-safety Officer Sehrish Binte Mohsin delivered a lecture, covering different aspects of bio-safety practices, sharps handling, waste disposal and incidents reporting to keep the workers and patients safe and to prevent spread of infections.

Mohammad Zoon-Nou-Raine from PACSlink delivered lecture on the role of IT and computer software in the quality and in time reporting. He also explained that how the system they have developed will give easy access to physicians about the patient’s reports, X-rays and other images.

The workshop was attended by more than 50 doctors, technicians, phlebotomist and receptionists belonging to different parts of Sindh.