Huge Tests Costs and Increasing Transmission of Hepatitis B and C

We cannot help everyone, but everyone can help someone. Keeping in mind this wonderful quote, I have decided to help some people who belong to poor, marginalized, neglected and deserving people from my community. As a Molecular Biologist, when I see people in my surrounding, I came to know that many of them are having problem of Hepatitis B or C. This is also confirming in a research paper, where it is mentioned that about 5–10 million Pakistanis are having either hepatitis B or C. This is mostly due to lack of awareness, transfusion of blood to other without testing and high diagnostic test fees.

Most of the laboratories in Lahore and other parts of Pakistan, are charging very high fees that makes the poor people unable to go for tests. So, being Molecular Biologist I know how much these tests are costing and how much more these diagnostic laboratories are charging to poor people. Hence I decided to take up this issue.

First of all, I searched on google about this issue and read latest research papers, where I come to know about high diagnostic tests costs are making people unable to go for tests and are becoming cause of transmission of this disease, So, I decided to go to people and want to know their point of view. There I come to know that the literature cited was correct. People endorsed this notion that high test costs are major reason for their denying to have these tests.

I met with following people such as sweeper, washer, cook, security guard and son of a garner. I selected them based on having a member in their family facing problem of Hepatitis B or C. All of the above mentioned people were earning around 17000–18000. Which is hardly running their kitchen for one month and when it come to have a member facing issue of Hepatitis B and C. It makes them difficult to go for diagnosis and then treatment. Here are the pics.

It was a great experience for me I through this activity I come to know about the latest statistics related to Hepatitis B and C. I also learnt how to approach people and how to know their issues and reasons related to their issue. Overall, I was a exciting and learning activity.

Special Thanks to Amal Academy, Sir Anis and Mam Hira for their guidance and support. Together, we can do that.