M A I N   N E W S

Recycled syringes ‘caused’ hepatitis
Pushpesh Kumar

Bathinda, March 20
The district health authorities today claimed that hepatitis-B spread in Chaoke village recently was due to use of already used disposable syringes by medical practitioners.

A survey conducted by the health authorities, found 93 cases of suspected hepatitis-B and 14 of them were confirmed to be hepatitis-B positive.

Mr S Neotia, District Malaria Officer, said that the authorities conducted a detailed survey of the village, having a population of about 7000. Many of them have not been vaccinated for hepatitis-B.

He said that the deaths in the village were not due to hepatitis-B alone. Surjit Kaur died due to cirrhosis and vomiting of blood. The cause of the death of Veerpal Kaur, was fainting, following the administration of a dose of a medicine for diabetes as claimed by the father of the deceased. But she was a patient of hepatitis-B also, admitted Mr Neotia.

Sources added that some doctors and quacks operating in the region were using used disposable syringes. Even for small ailments, they gave injections so as to get ‘quick’ results. But to save money, they rescued disposable syringes, causing infections. Hepatitis-B spreads as the used needles and syringes are contaminated with infected blood and body fluids etc.

Although many voluntary organisations have been organising vaccination camps for the hepatitis-B vaccination in the region, their efforts are negated by such practices.

In February, many cases of hepatitis-B were reported from Kotkapura in Faridkot district also.

The health authorities said that the water works of Chaoke village were under observation and only chlorinated water was being supplied. The villagers have been provided with tablets of chlorine and advised to take precautions, and avoid the use of unfiltered or unhygienic water and stale eatables.

Dr Bawa Ram Gupta, Civil Surgeon, said that the villagers have been advised not to resort to the use of injections to cure minor ailments, which could be easily cured by tablets etc. If injections were needed, the syringes should be sterilised properly and administered by a qualified doctor. In no case should an injection be administered without medical supervision.