World Hepatitis Day: Dr. Ziauddin Hospital Calls for Stronger Action to Eliminate Viral Hepatitis
Medical experts stress vaccination, safe healthcare practices and early diagnosis as key steps to reduce Pakistan’s hepatitis burden.
Doctors and participants attend the World Hepatitis Day awareness event at Dr. Ziauddin Hospital.
KARACHI: World Hepatitis Day was observed at Dr. Ziauddin Hospital under the global themes, “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down” and “Elimination for everyone, everywhere…right now!”. During the event, medical experts urged stronger preventive measures to eliminate viral hepatitis in Pakistan.
First, the hospital organised an awareness walk, followed by an educational symposium attended by healthcare professionals, faculty members, medical students and members of the public. Meanwhile, Prof. Uzma Ghori, Head of the Department of Medicine at Dr. Ziauddin Hospital, chaired the event, while Prof. Dr. S. M. Wasim Jafri, Founding President and Patron of the Pakistan Society for the Study of Liver Diseases, attended as the Guest of Honour.
During the scientific session, Dr. Khurram Baqai presented an overview of the epidemiology of viral hepatitis. He also highlighted the disease’s continued public health impact and the urgent need for greater awareness.
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Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Zaigham Abbas, Head of the Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology and Liver Transplant at Dr. Ziauddin Hospital, warned that unsafe medical practices and unqualified healthcare providers continue to spread hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in Pakistan. According to him, the World Health Organization classifies Pakistan as a high-burden country for viral hepatitis. He added that weak enforcement of health regulations, poor governance, informal medical practices and limited resources continue to undermine national elimination efforts.
In addition, Dr. Darayus P. Gazder highlighted the importance of preventive measures and immunisation. He explained that expanding vaccination coverage remains essential to reducing infections and achieving long-term hepatitis elimination goals.
Similarly, Dr. Zeeshan Hyder, a liver transplant surgeon at Dr. Ziauddin Hospital, said complications arising from chronic viral hepatitis remain the leading reason for liver transplantation at the hospital. Therefore, he stressed the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment to prevent severe liver disease.
Finally, Prof. Wasim Jafri concluded the symposium by emphasising that vaccination, safe healthcare practices, early diagnosis and prompt treatment are the most effective strategies for reducing the burden of viral hepatitis in Pakistan.
Overall, the event reaffirmed Dr. Ziauddin Hospital’s commitment to promoting liver health, strengthening medical education and supporting national and global efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis.
