The Health Foundation (Pakistan)

The Health Foundation (THF) is a non-profit working to eliminate Hepatitis B & C in Pakistan through prevention and treatment programs reaching communities nationwide without charging the poor. Our Aim

Key Programs

The major components of the program Include:

1- Mass Awareness:

The initial focus of THF is to educate general public regarding the manifestations of Hepatitis B and C , their mode

of acquisition and transmission.Sensitization of the general public regarding spread of infection through unscreened blood transfusion , reuse of syringes and other medical and dental equipment and instruments, avoidance of tattooing, ear and nose piercing from market, circumcision and shaving from the barbers, social and moral behavior change are soem of teh key elements in our communication strategy. Because of the lack of health resources especially at rural areas and deficiency of well trained medical personals the prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate. It is teh need of teh day to prevent this disease by health education and creating awareness among the general public. This task has to be effectively done with the involvement of electronic and print media, community based health educators and targeted advocacy and social mobilization sessions.

2- Prevention/Protection from the disease:

Since it is far more effective to prevent Hepatitis B through timely vaccination, THF is working towards nationwide vaccinations against this potentially fatal illness. Catch up Vaccination of high risk groups with Hepatitis B Vaccine is being carried out in phases. There is no vaccine available for Hepatitis C.

3- Treatment of Hepatitis:

Keeping in view the high frequency of HCV in our country, we need nationwide efforts to identify peoples who are infected with HCV and Hepatitis B virus, therefore our preliminary Rapid Test Screening methods are integrated in the Vaccination Program. The Foundation is providing FREE of cost medication to those suffering from these infections but unable to afford the medications. Free treatment of hundreds of patients on annual basis is carried out in deserving cases. (Viral Hepatitis Epidemiology)

One out of 12 Pakistanis suffers from the virus of either Hepatitis B or C, the hepatitis-infected population of our country is a staggering 18 million. There has, however, been no specific countrywide study to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis in Pakistan. The overall prevalence of the disease in Pakistan, as per these studies, is around 10 to 15 percent. Worldwide 400 million people are carriers of the Hepatitis B virus alone or in combination with HVC Virus and Going by the figure of 5.8 percent prevalence rate, there may be around 8 million Hepatitis B patients in our country. The disease is transmitted by bodily fluids such as blood, semen, saliva and vaginal secretions. It is claimed that the Hepatitis B virus is 100 times more concentrated in the blood than the HIV virus making it much easier to spread. The proper implementation of a National Program for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis in Pakistan to control the deadly disease is still to be ensured. Unscreened blood transfusion and the rampant use of used syringes have spread hepatitis B and C, making it one of the biggest concerns for the country's health managers. There are five types of hepatitis - A, B, C, D and E - of which A and E are caused through oral infection, contaminated water and unhygienic food. Hepatitis B, C and D are caused through un-sterilized syringes, sexual relation, blood transfusion and in case of Hepatitis B from mother to newborn baby. Hepatitis C is often called a 'silent killer' and it can live in the body for decades, often with no symptoms, while attacking the liver. The long-term consequences of Hepatitis C can include liver disease, liver cancer, and death. There is also no cure for Hepatitis C.