In a concerning development, the number of hepatitis patients in Punjab has skyrocketed to over 3.9 million, underscoring a growing health crisis that demands immediate attention.
Official documents have revealed that out of the 217 clinics across Punjab, only a mere 23 have access to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test facilities – a crucial tool for accurate hepatitis diagnosis – with less than 11% of clinics equipped with this.
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As per reports, more than 981,000 PCR tests for hepatitis have been administered thus far.
Perhaps the most alarming discovery from the documents is that a significant 62% of the disease’s transmission is attributed to the repeated use of syringes.
Among the most affected are patients grappling with Hepatitis C, with more than 76,000 reported cases in Punjab. Hepatitis C is notorious for its ability to evolve into a chronic condition, leading to severe liver damage if left untreated.
This is compounded by recent screening data, which has unveiled an unsettling 138,000 cases of Hepatitis B. This number is a startling contrast to the previously registered four lakh cases of hepatitis B and C.
