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| The
inaugural address by Professor S. M. Wasim Jafri, Chief
of Gastroenterology and Chairman, Department of Medicine,
AKU. |
A symposium
on liver diseases was organised by the Section of Gastroenterology,
Aga Khan University (AKU), and Pakistan Society of Hepatology,
on September 3, 2003.
The symposium invited speakers from across Pakistan,
who presented papers on various aspects of liver diseases.
The inaugural address was made by Prof. S. M. Wasim Jafri,
Chief of Gastroenterology and Chairman, Department of Medicine,
AKU.
In his
address, Dr. Jafri highlighted the importance of liver diseases
in Pakistan
with particular reference to Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. "Hepatitis
A and E are predominantly spread by fecal oral route, which
means contaminated food and water. Especially during floods
and excessive rains, are the two diseases spread in the form
of epidemics," said Dr. Jafri.
He added
that most of the adults in Pakistan
are already immune from Hepatitis A as a result of clinical
and sub-clinical infection in childhood - the disease is extremely
common in childhood. He explained that in the presence of
malnutrition and other diseases, Hepatitis A could take a
serious turn and produce a considerable amount of complications.
Whereas Hepatitis E is generally a mild disease, however,
in the presence of pregnancy, it could result in serious problems
for both the pregnant female as well as the foetus, he suggested.
Dr. Jafri
highlighted the importance of vaccination against Hepatitis
B especially during child hood as the disease is extremely
prevalent in Pakistan
and it is completely preventable if vaccination is offered
to all newborns. Although it is part of EPI programme, proper
implementation of the programme is of great importance otherwise
things which are on paper do not produce results, he added.
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| The
audience at the Third National Symposium on Portal Hypertension
and Liver Disease organised by the Section of Gastroenterology,
Aga Khan University (AKU), and Pakistan Society of Hepatology |
He explained
that there was no effective vaccine against Hepatitis C. Therefore,
it is important that good public health measures are in place
as the diseases spread normally by contaminated blood and
infected surgical instruments. People are especially instructed
not to have shaves done at barbers who occasionally use used
blades. He also suggested that syringes and needles not be
reused and be disposed of properly. Dr. Jafri also highlighted
the endoscopic management of variceal bleeding.
Dr. Sohail
Tobani and Dr. Uzma Shah described the conditions resulting
from Paediatric liver diseases. Dr. Hasnain Ali Shah of AKU
spoke on the management of ascites; Dr. Mohammad Umer from
Rawalpindi gave a lecture on management of portal hypertension.
Dr. Jamila Ismail underscored the importance of drugs, and
said that Hepatitis B and C could also result in an increased
number of liver cancers. Cancer specialists spoke on various
aspects of liver cancer and its management.
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