Multiple use of syringes behind hepatitis surge

Multiple use of the same syringe to take drugs is one of the main reasons of high prevalence of hepatitis C in Punjab apart from other health issues. Dr Ajay Duseja, consultant in the department of hepatology in PGIMER Chandigarh, said in a public lecture in AIIMS that a recent study in Ludhiana shows that five per cent of the people screened were suffering from hepatitis which is almost 10 times more than the national average of 0.5 per cent and the reason is multiple use of the same syringe by drug addicts.

Dr Duseja told this newspaper that several studies across Punjab has revealed that the prevalence of hepatitis C is more in Punjab than in the rest of the country.

“In Ludhiana, after screening of 5,000 people, it was found that five per cent of the people are suffering from hepatitis C while the national average is 0.5 per cent. High prevalence of hepatitis has been reported from some states but it is still at one per cent which is much lower than the prevalent rate in Punjab,” he added.

The doctor claimed that even two per cent of blood in the blood banks is infected with the hepatitis virus. “During studies across several blood banks it was found that 2 to 2.5 per cent of the blood was infected with hepatitis, which is also higher than the national average of 0.5 per cent,” he said

According to Dr Duseja, there are areas that beat even the state average of around five per cent. “Prevalent rate in the districts along the international border goes up to 10 per cent. It has been found that people from these areas and across the border have similar problems due to genetic issues,” he added. The state government has started providing free treatment to hepatitis patients.