Our Mission to Prevent Hepatitis: Educating the Underprivileged Community

Did you know that hepatitis silently affects millions, especially in communities with little access to health education? Today, we embarked on a mission that could save lives.

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As I took on the role of director for this campaign, I felt a deep sense of responsibility and excitement. Knowing that our efforts could directly impact the health of families in our community motivated me to lead with passion and determination. Today’s campaign was not just another event; it was a chance to empower people with knowledge about hepatitis and its prevention, and I was eager to make a difference

Together, IFMSA and VFAHT planned today’s campaign to address a critical health issue: Hepatitis (Kala Yarquan). Our mission was to reach out to an economically disadvantaged and underprivileged community and educate families about the disease, its prevention, and treatment options.

With thousands affected yearly, hepatitis remains one of the most preventable yet overlooked health issues in our region*

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This campaign was a collaborative effort between the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA) and Volunteers for Awareness and Health Training (VFAHT). The IFMSA is a global network empowering medical students in public health initiatives across over 120 countries. It promotes health education, advocacy, and awareness campaigns.

VFAHT, a local initiative, focuses on improving health outcomes in underserved communities through volunteer mobilization and education. By collaborating with IFMSA, VFAHT aims to create impactful grassroots campaigns that bring real change to vulnerable populations.

With the support and expertise of both organizations, today’s campaign became a significant step in addressing hepatitis in low-income areas. For me, leading this campaign was about ensuring that every family we reached felt supported and informed, ultimately making a difference in their health and well-being.

As the director of my Society, I was responsible for ensuring the campaign’s success. This meant organizing and training volunteers to provide accurate information and support to as many people as possible. In low-income areas, communicable diseases like hepatitis can have high morbidity and mortality rates due to lack of awareness and healthcare access.

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UNDERSTANDING HEPATITIS (Kala Yarquan)

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Hepatitis, known as Kala Yarquan in local terms, is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. The liver, an essential organ, is responsible for detoxifying the blood, storing energy, and aiding digestion. When it becomes inflamed due to the hepatitis virus, it can’t perform these functions properly, leading to severe health complications.

Hepatitis is a serious concern globally and in our region, causing around 1.3 million deaths annually. It’s important to know the symptoms, causes, preventive measures, and treatment options for this disease.

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Symptoms of Hepatitis Include:

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• Abdominal Pain: Discomfort or pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, where the liver is located.

• Dark Yellow Urine: This happens due to liver dysfunction, as the body fails to process bilirubin effectively.

• Fever, Fatigue, Joint Pain, and Nausea: These general symptoms are common in viral infections but should not be ignored when combined with others.

• Jaundice: A key sign where the skin and eyes turn yellow due to the accumulation of bilirubin.
  Causes of Hepatitis:

• Reusing Syringes: In communities with limited healthcare resources, reusing needles can lead to the spread of infections like hepatitis.

• Transmission from Mother to Child During Childbirth: Without proper medical care, the virus can pass from an infected mother to her baby.

• Unsafe Sexual Practices: Unprotected sex can lead to transmission of the virus, especially when there is a lack of awareness or education on safe practices.

• Unscreened Blood Transfusions: Receiving blood that has not been tested for hepatitis can result in infection.
  Preventive Measures:

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Preventive Measures

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1. Vaccination: Getting vaccinated is one of the most effective ways to prevent hepatitis. Vaccines are available and often provided for free in hospitals and clinics.

2. Blood Screening: Before any blood transfusion, it’s essential to ensure that the blood has been screened for hepatitis and other infections.

3. Avoiding Reuse of Medical Equipment: Medical tools, especially needles, should never be reused. Safe disposal and proper sanitation practices are key.

4. Regular Testing: Getting tested once a year, even if no symptoms are present, can help in early detection and management of the disease.

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Treatment Options:

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• Balanced Diet: Eating a nutritious diet helps support liver function and overall health.

• Consulting a Healthcare Professional: If any symptoms appear, it’s crucial to consult a hepatologist or healthcare provider for immediate testing and treatment.

• Access to Free Care: Many hospitals, including ours, offer free treatment for hepatitis, especially for those in need.

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OUR CAMPAIGN EXPERIENCE

To build an efficient volunteer team, I created a Google form with questions about hepatitis. Many people applied, and I selected the top scorers—15 from each NGO.

We all gathered at our assembly point at 9:00 AM and then walked to the action location. There’s a very impoverished area near our university called the Bhimpara community. We arrived there and divided our 30-member volunteer team into five groups. We went door-to-door, giving everyone information about hepatitis with kindness and love.

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We chose this community because it provided a sense of safety—it is a close-knit area with well-protected borders, so there would be no disturbances during the campaign. In this secured environment, we could visit every home and raise awareness. Additionally, there were many families in the community, and we could directly educate the women and children who seldom venture outside.
We had about 120 pamphlets printed, one for each family. These pamphlets contained visuals and were written in our native Urdu language, making it easier for everyone to understand.

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We funded this ourselves—each member of our 30-member team contributed rupees 200 (4.78 STEEM), collecting a total of rupees 6000 (143 STEEM), which covered all expenses.

Under the warm morning sun, our team assembled at the Bhimpara community, pamphlets in hand, ready to share knowledge that could transform lives

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Believe me, when we started explaining hepatitis (commonly known as 'Kala Yarquan'), most people didn't even know which organ it affected. Many had never even heard the name before.

When they didn’t even recognize the name, they obviously didn’t know the symptoms or causes of hepatitis. Since they weren’t aware of the causes, they hadn’t taken any preventive measures. When we informed them about the causes, they realized these were everyday activities they never even thought could be risky.

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Despite this, we received a very welcoming response from the entire community. Everyone listened to us patiently. Some people even invited us inside their homes, but it was our protocol not to enter anyone’s home. We approached each door, knocked, and gave our presentation to every single person.

As I watched families lean in to listen, their faces filled with surprise and concern, I realized just how critical this knowledge is in protecting loved ones

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For me, this campaign was extremely successful because the community members were receptive. The most important thing we told them was that hepatitis vaccination is available for free at our hospital and that treatment for those already affected is also free. Many people decided that they would definitely come for vaccination, which showed that 90% of the community members had never been vaccinated in their lives."

One elder remarked, ‘I had no idea something like this could happen because of a needle.’ Moments like these reminded us of the immense power of awareness

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This experience taught me the immense value of community engagement and the power of education in health advocacy. One of the challenges we faced was overcoming the initial lack of awareness about hepatitis; many community members had never heard of the disease. However, their willingness to listen and learn was incredibly rewarding. Witnessing their enthusiasm to get vaccinated and take proactive steps for their health reinforced my belief in the importance of our work. It reminded me that even small efforts can lead to significant changes in public health

Today’s success was just a step forward, but it’s one that brings us closer to a future where no one suffers needlessly from preventable diseases

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Thanks for giving it a read.

regards,
Dr. Abdullah Naveed