KARACHI – Dr Rafiq Khanani, President, Infection Control Society of Pakistan underscoring need for potable water provision for all reminded that Hepatitis E, a contaminated water borne infection though largely self limiting is particularly life threatening for pregnant women.
According to a Press release issued in Karachi on September 6, the researcher, speaking at a workshop said the virus (Hepatitis E) could be fatal for both expecting mothers and their new borns adding that around 25 percent of the reported cases of the disease are estimated to have led to death of both mothers and infants born to them.
He reiterated that the issue cannot be over looked and due consideration is required to be extended towards provision of safe and clean water besides public awareness to adopt necessary measures for sake of their health.
Dr Khanani mentioning that Hepatitis A is also caused due to consumption of contaminated water and drinks made of it maintained that though not as fatal as other blood borne infections (Hepatitis B and C respectively) – yet could not be overlooked.
Dr Khursheed Hashmi of the Society was cited to mention that 40,000 deaths were reported annually in the country due to water borne diseases adding that each child in the country under goes on an average three episodes of diarrhoea and considerable number of them die before their fifth birthday.
The situation was attributed not only to acute shortage of water but also to inappropriate facilities for sewerage leading to frequent instances of human exÂcreta seeping into underground water resources consequently leading to human consumption of contaminated water.
Inadequacies on part of people themselves regarding personal hygiene as well as cleanliness of their surrounding was also identified as factors further aggravating the situation. Dr Syed Abdul Mujib spoke of different blood borne infections including owing to ignorance on part of public them selves as well as disregard for extremely essential care and precautions on part of doctors, nurses, para medics as well as those associated with blood banks.
Dr Amanullah Ansari mentioned that some 50,000 people die of TB annually across the world although it was largely preventable and curable. Dr Asim Beg, Dr Shahzad Ali and Aqeel ghan of Help Intenational Welfare Trust were among the other speakers on the occasion.
Source: The Nation
Date:9/7/2004
