25pc of pregnant women with hepatitis E die

Around 25 percent of pregnant women, who are infected with hepatitis E virus by having polluted water and food, die every year in the country.

"The situation gets very dangerous when hepatitis E virus infects pregnant women. It can be avoided through creating public awareness," said Prof Nooruddin Ahmad, chairman of the Department of Hepatology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

He said this while addressing a discussion on "what needs to be done in preventing hepatitis", organised by the Bangladesh Hepatitis Prevention Society in Cirdap auditorium yesterday.

He said hepatitis B, C and D spread through blood while hepatitis A and E spread through water and food.

The repeated use of same needles, blades and knives without proper sterilisation in piercing nose, ear, cutting hair, doing circumcision and treating teeth, causes hepatitis B, C and D," he said.

He requested the government to include hepatitis B vaccination in the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).

"It will save lives of 95 percent of babies," he opined. Ahmad also requested the local manufacturers to reduce the price of vaccines for the poor.

However, Managing Director of Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd Abdul Muktadir said they could not reduce the price of vaccine because of high interest rate. So he sought the government's assistance.

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim said donor agencies give the government various conditions which impedes the progress in the health sector. He said budget allocations should be increased to reduce dependency on donors.

Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Deen Muhammad Nurul Haque said many people still depend on quacks to treat jaundice. "We need to make people aware about modern treatment to refrain people from choosing quacks," he added.

Among others, Director General of Directorate General of Drug Administration Maj Gen Mostafizur Rahman, Secretary General of Bangladesh Medical Association Iqbal Arslan, singer Ferodous Ara, and President of the Society Dr Morol Nazrul Islam were present at the discussion.