In light of World Hepatitis Day (July 28), Aizan Development Foundation organized a two day Free Medical Camp for Hepatitis Screening Test in Ravi Town, Lahore (July 30, and July 31, 2015). The area that ADF chose is believed to be a very backward neighborhood, where majority of the people live below the poverty line.
During camp, a large number of people visited. Out of all the patients, about 63% of the majority went through the screening test, while 36% only came for general checkups. 20% of the patients that took the screening test were male, and 18% female, while only 3% of the visitors were children.
As the results showed, approximately 16% males and 6% females were Hepatitis B+ive, 20% males and 18% females indicated Hepatitis C, and 2% of the individuals tested Hepatitis BC+ive.
The general reasons behind the increasing percentage in Hepatitis patients, upon interviewing the ones present, seemed to be:
- Usage of unclean/polluted water
- Intake of unhygienic, or spoiled food products
- Unhygienic living conditions
Upon speaking with the patients, the ADF team realized that most of them were unaware of the existence of Hepatitis, or how the conditions that they live in can prove to be harmful to them. Some of the patients even hesitated once they were asked to get themselves tested. Majority of women refused to take the test.”
