Hepatitis Free Project- Rashidabad

Reporting Period – July-December 2022 

Summary:

The Health Foundation (THF) has been working in Rashidabad since 2016. This beautiful place, spread over 86 acres of land, has been built by Rashid Welfare Organization (RWO) situated on the Hyderabad-Mirpurkhas Road near Tando Allahyar. 

THF has continued its efforts with limited resources in Union Council Dhingano Buzdar, covering a total population of 36,000 comprising mostly of lower income socio-economic groups.

Project Overview:

The Health Foundation with this project has taken a step up the ladder towards its goal of making a significant difference in decreasing the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C. It envisions a community-based intervention, linked to a Hepatitis center at Rashidabad, which carries out this mission for a preselected population. These interventions are achieved through well-run and established programs integrated at one point, linking up the community and the services of the THF Hepatitis Centre. The beneficiaries, in this case, are the underserved communities in the villages of this union council.

Eye Opening Stats:

Ranking of Pakistan in Hepatitis

Pakistan ranks on top globally in the prevalence of Hepatitis with over 19 million infected, and an additional 400,000 new cases being added each year. The over-burdened health infrastructure of the country is unable to address this situation, leading to further spread of this disease.

Number of deaths in Pakistan due to Hepatitis

                       Hepatitis C      Hepatitis B       TOTAL

Daily                     64                      32                  96

Annual             23,000               12,000          35,000

Gender-wise prevalence of Hepatitis in Pakistan               

Hepatitis C:       Equal prevalence amongst genders

Hepatitis B:       Twice as high in males

Objective:
The Health Foundation provides free-of-cost services to non-affording patients. The Services include Hep B vaccination, Community Sensitization, Free Labs test + PCR, and Hep B & Hep C medicine.

1. Providing Awareness to 90% population

2. Immunizing 85% of the population for Hep B 

3. To "Find the Missing Millions" via screening above 17 yrs of age 

4. Free Lab diagnostic of all positive patients

5. Registering Hepatitis C positive patients who are eligible for treatment

Hepatitis Elimination Operations Progress: July-December 2022

Persons Screened                    2,098

Persons Screen Positive             298

Hepatitis Prevalence                    14%

PCRs sent to Labs                      250

Treatment Initiated                        53

Patients under Treatment             628

Hepatitis C Patients Treated          39

Hepatitis B Vaccinations             5,115

Project Issues:

• The cost of operational inputs like screening kits, laboratory tests, and medicines is increasing, which over burdens the limited resources available with healthcare organizations.
• Due to financial and economic crises, donations & funding is diminishing, which compromises operational impact.
• There is a scarcity of skilled and trained healthcare workers.
• The area and terrain are very difficult to manage due to long distances, remoteness of villages, and poor condition of roads.
•  Internet and related digital facilities are limited and insufficient.

Links:

• The Health Foundation Website
• The Health Foundation Facebook