Detecting high prevalence of HCV, govt stops survey

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, December 18

The Health Department discontinued its survey in Mari Mustafa village after finding out that 16 per cent of the population was infected with hepatitis C (HCV), a chronic liver disease. Across the country, around 1.3 per cent of the population is infected with the disease.

After more than 60 persons died of cancer and HCV in the last year, the Health Department started a large -scale household survey in the village that has a population of 11,000. In the first round of the survey, 46 of the 297 persons tested were found to be infected. Finding that there was wide prevalence of the diseases, the department reportedly discontinued further testing.

Dr Gurmail Singh, Senior Medical Officer (SMO) in Mari Mustafa area, said they had stopped testing as residents feared their reputation would be tarnished and they would not be able to marry off their children.

Refuting these claims, residents alleged nearly 30 per cent of the population in the village was suffering from the dreaded disease. Gurtej Singh of Mari Mustafa alleged the Health Department had manipulated the figures. Five members of his family are infected with the deadly virus. He said most people were unaware they were infected.

Sat Pal Singh, whose younger brother Balbir Singh’s samples were collected, alleged the department had not disclosed the results. “Last week, my brother tested positive at DMC, Ludhiana,” he said.