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1:00 PM



Sadaf Restaurant

1327 Rockville Pike

Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 424-4040






 
  people attended.

 
Tareen, Iqbal

Hepatitis B Virus
Millions will die in Pakistan if not controlled

With a HBV threat, Pakistan needs neither enemies nor a nuclear war. These epidemics can potentially
wipeout the entire Pakistani population and population in the neighboring countries within a short
time. There is no hiding from this weapon of mass destruction.

According to Irfan Aligi of Daily News- The federal government has launched the Prime Minister¶s
program for the eradication, prevention and treatment of hepatitis with an allocation of Rs 2.6 billion.

The Prime Minister¶s program is meant to focus on hepatitis patients in jails, health workers and drug
addicts who acquire the disease through sharing needles.

Sindh has the largest number of hepatitis patients in the country and according to the data provided
by the federal government, there are 3.4 million people suffering from hepatitis in the province, but in
fact the real number is much greater than the available data shows. Certain districts in Sindh,
particularly Qambar, has the highest number of hepatitis patients while Larkana, Taluka Mehar of
Dadu also show an alarming number of hepatitis cases, sources in the Sindh health department told
Daily Times.

Here are some concerns:

1. Was there a scientific study done to determine the real size of the problem? Was there any mapping
done to identify gaps between resources required and resources allocated to fight this problem?
2. Has an independent and efficient organization been put in place to exclusively tackle this issue? If
yes, does it consist of same old corrupt bureaucrats or highly qualified professional people including
subject matter experts, doctors, scientists, management experts, and financial managers who have
track record of performing fiduciary duties?
3. What checks and balances have been put in place to make sure every single penny is spent on the
actual mission rather than overheads?
4. Are grassroots organizations invited and included to share their recommendations and assistance to
deal with this size of national calamity?
5. Has government interference been removed or minimized to enable this organization to work
without any operational impediments?
6. Are there any goals and timelines set for this organization to measure its performance?
7. Has additional assistance been sought from international organizations or organizations of Pakistani
Diaspora?

I request that we devote our next meeting of the Forum for Justice and Democracy in Pakistan to
discuss HBV problem in Pakistan. Let us converge to understand the depth and size of the issue and
be able to offer our support and assistance to the people of Pakistan. We should seriously consider
appointing an HBV Outreach Committee to approach various International organizations and
organizations of South Asian Diaspora especially Pakistani Diaspora living in North America and Europe
to create awareness of this problem and seek help.

Let us also discuss the possibility of an ongoing coordination and cooperation between Diaspora and
the organization responsible for fighting this epidemic on the ground.
I hope you will join us in this humble effort on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at the following address:

Sadaf Restaurant
1327 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 424-4040

Iqbal Tareen
Organizer
Forum for Justice and Democracy in Pakistan
Washington, DC