10 million suffer from viral hepatitis B, C - Bangladesh

[Guest guest]

http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/10/03/news0949.htm

10 m suffer from viral hepatitis B, C

BSS, Dhaka

An estimated 10 million people carry hepatitis B and C virus, but the country

has only three dozens of hepatologists to serve the huge population, a young

physician of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) said on

Saturday.

Assistant professor of Hepatology Dr Mamun Al Mahtab said nearly 20 lakh people

of the country carry Hepatitis C virus, while 80 lakh suffer from viral

Hepatitis B, the leading cause of jaundice, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and

liver failure.

" The country has only 35 hepatologists to serve the big number of people

suffering from hepatitis B and C that cause jaundice, fever, abdominal pain and

weakness, " he told BSS on the sidelines of a biennial conference of liver study

association at a city hotel.

Out of the 35 hepatologists, only a dozen people have the scope to provide

services as posts for hepatoligists are limited both in the public and private

sector health facilities. He said only eight hepatologists were posted in BSMMU

and four others are employed with two private medical colleges. He, however,

appreciated the government's recent move to create 15 other post for

hepatologists in eight old public medical colleges and hospitals outside Dhaka.

Dr Mamun said a team of eight hepatologists, including him, provide treatment to

at least 100 people indoor and outdoor everyday at BSMMU, lone public sector

service provider for viral B and C patients. Most of the cases come to the

doctors at their late stage of infection, he added.

Health Minister Prof. Dr. AFM Ruhal Haque opened the function as the chief

guest, saying his ministry wanted to ensure liver transplantation at a low cost

in the country by next one year. Treatment of many infectious and chronic

diseases has been made available in Bangladesh over the years and facilities for

few more are in the pipeline, he added.

Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The

virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection,

cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.

Hepatitis C virus is found in the blood of persons who have the disease and

spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.

The government has taken measures to administer preventive vaccine to children

aged between 1 and 1.6 years. Around 92 percent children have been vaccinated.

Vaccines are, however, available to prevent infection from hepatitis A and B but

not C.

The hepatitis B virus is a DNA virus and the virus is primarily found in the

liver but is also present in the blood and certain body fluids. For infected

individuals, the virus can be found in the blood, semen, vaginal discharge,

breast milk, and saliva. According to medical sources, hepatitis B does not

spread through food, water, or by casual contact. Rather it may spread from

infected mothers to their babies at birth. Sexual contact is the most common

means of transmission, followed by using contaminated needles for injecting

illicit drugs, tattooing, body piercing, or acupuncture.

Additionally, hepatitis B can be transmitted through sharing toothbrushes and

razors contaminated with infected fluids or blood. These viruses contribute

greatly to the burden of disease in low-income population. Delay in child

vaccination within first six weeks might put 70-90 percent babies at risk of

acquiring infection from mothers.

Dr Mamun said hepatitis virus is as like as HIV/AIDS. Plenty of money is being

spent to prevent HIV, but little attention has so far been given to hepatitis B

and C, especially for B, he said adding the media needs to come forward to make

people aware and draw policy attention.

[Guest guest]

http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/10/03/news0949.htm

10 m suffer from viral hepatitis B, C

BSS, Dhaka

An estimated 10 million people carry hepatitis B and C virus, but the country

has only three dozens of hepatologists to serve the huge population, a young

physician of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) said on

Saturday.

Assistant professor of Hepatology Dr Mamun Al Mahtab said nearly 20 lakh people

of the country carry Hepatitis C virus, while 80 lakh suffer from viral

Hepatitis B, the leading cause of jaundice, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and

liver failure.

" The country has only 35 hepatologists to serve the big number of people

suffering from hepatitis B and C that cause jaundice, fever, abdominal pain and

weakness, " he told BSS on the sidelines of a biennial conference of liver study

association at a city hotel.

Out of the 35 hepatologists, only a dozen people have the scope to provide

services as posts for hepatoligists are limited both in the public and private

sector health facilities. He said only eight hepatologists were posted in BSMMU

and four others are employed with two private medical colleges. He, however,

appreciated the government's recent move to create 15 other post for

hepatologists in eight old public medical colleges and hospitals outside Dhaka.

Dr Mamun said a team of eight hepatologists, including him, provide treatment to

at least 100 people indoor and outdoor everyday at BSMMU, lone public sector

service provider for viral B and C patients. Most of the cases come to the

doctors at their late stage of infection, he added.

Health Minister Prof. Dr. AFM Ruhal Haque opened the function as the chief

guest, saying his ministry wanted to ensure liver transplantation at a low cost

in the country by next one year. Treatment of many infectious and chronic

diseases has been made available in Bangladesh over the years and facilities for

few more are in the pipeline, he added.

Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The

virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection,

cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.

Hepatitis C virus is found in the blood of persons who have the disease and

spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.

The government has taken measures to administer preventive vaccine to children

aged between 1 and 1.6 years. Around 92 percent children have been vaccinated.

Vaccines are, however, available to prevent infection from hepatitis A and B but

not C.

The hepatitis B virus is a DNA virus and the virus is primarily found in the

liver but is also present in the blood and certain body fluids. For infected

individuals, the virus can be found in the blood, semen, vaginal discharge,

breast milk, and saliva. According to medical sources, hepatitis B does not

spread through food, water, or by casual contact. Rather it may spread from

infected mothers to their babies at birth. Sexual contact is the most common

means of transmission, followed by using contaminated needles for injecting

illicit drugs, tattooing, body piercing, or acupuncture.

Additionally, hepatitis B can be transmitted through sharing toothbrushes and

razors contaminated with infected fluids or blood. These viruses contribute

greatly to the burden of disease in low-income population. Delay in child

vaccination within first six weeks might put 70-90 percent babies at risk of

acquiring infection from mothers.

Dr Mamun said hepatitis virus is as like as HIV/AIDS. Plenty of money is being

spent to prevent HIV, but little attention has so far been given to hepatitis B

and C, especially for B, he said adding the media needs to come forward to make

people aware and draw policy attention.