According to a recent report, the spread of Hepatitis C in Pakistan has increased to an alarming level, highlighting a serious public health concern in the country.
The World Health Organization report states that Pakistan, India, and China together account for 39 percent of the global Hepatitis C burden, while Pakistan is among the 10 countries where 58 percent of deaths related to the disease have been reported.
The report also expressed concern that the use of unsafe injections and the repeated use of syringes are major contributing factors to the spread of the disease, while counterfeit auto-disable syringes are creating a false sense of safety.
Experts noted that the Hepatitis B vaccine provides more than 95 percent protection, while Hepatitis C can be treated within 8 to 12 weeks, but early diagnosis and preventive measures are essential to control its spread.
