According to state health department information fast increasing cases of Hepatitis C and B at OPD in civil hospitals in Ambala district is a matter of concern, which is generally due to injecting drugs in the body by drug addicts, having unsafe sex relationship and fast increasing fashion trend of having tattoos on different parts of body by both males and females. Unfortunately, drug addiction among youths of both sexes in parties, by those living in hostels and PG houses is fast increasing since past few years by the students as well as working males and females i order to have mental relief before going to bed in which drugs are usually injected in the body by a single syringe by several thus causing infection. The modern fashion trend of having tattoos on different parts of body by men and women to attract opposite sex is another major reason for fast increasing cases of Hepatitis disease also known as ‘Kala Peelia’. Health department information reveals that HIV diseases has witnessed fast increase in past few years.
According to health department figures more than 50% patients suffering from Hepatitis C visited OPD at Ambala Civil Hospitals in past couple of years were seen suffered from this disease due to blood infection in the body during injecting drugs in the body using a single syringe by several persons. A survey also revealed that nearly 45% youths including females staying in college hostels, PG houses and jointly staying in groups in private houses usually become habitual for taking drugs for having relief from mental tension or fun sake before going to the bed at night and they usually use a single syringe to inject drug in arms by all unaware of consequences. It is generally seen that in high profile parties drugs are served to guests using a single syringe to inject drugs to all visitors.
Some of the prominent reasons cause Hepatitis C and B include having unsafe sex relationship, use of common syringe while injecting drugs in the body, intake of infected blood, use of infected syringe, while having tattoos on the body, having shave at a saloon with a infected blade and while getting holes for wearing ear rings and nose pin with a infected needle, According to Dr Harsh Nodal officer District Health Department Ambala,267 patients were detected suffering from Hepatitis C in past 18 months, where as 570 Hepatitis C patients have been registered in government hospitals in the district since after year 2017, which include 267 patients registered in past 18 months, of these 120 patients were found suffering from this infectious disease with effect from 1st January to 30th July 2022 as such on an average nearly 20 new patients were found suffering from this disease and registered in government hospitals in Ambala district every month.
Dr Harsh told that Hepatitis C and B patients are being treated free of cost in government hospitals with free supply of medicines. However, free screening camps are organized by the government from time to time for Viral Load Test of disease. He said, treatment for Hepatitis C generally takes 12 to 24 months costing between Rs 2000 to Rs 20000 each patient. He told that there is provision for free Viral Load Test in government hospitals for which private laboratories usually charge amount between Rs 2500 to Rs 5000 for this test. In case of hepatitis C, patient are treated for a period of 24 months and in case there is no cure usually are referred to PGI Rohtak, whereas in case of Hepatitis B the patients have to take medicines for life time. According to a senior doctor the life of a new born baby from a pregnant woman suffering from Hepatitis can be saved in case the new born child given Imune Globin injection within 24 hours after the birth strictly as per doctor’s advice.
