KARACHI (APP) - Media has been playing its due role in creating a general health consciousness and awareness about diseases, prevention and cure among the masses yet a lot needs to be done, especially in case of diseases like hepatitis that is on rise in Pakistan. This was the consensus among the speakers at Stivya Youth Interactive Forum on Hepatitis organised by the Department of Mass Communication, University of Karachi. The programme was presided over by the Dean Faculty of Arts, University of Karachi Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shams-uddin, while the keynote speaker was Dr. Agha Umer Draz Khan, District Coordinator, Prime Ministers Programme for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis. Dr. Khan said that a large number of people in Pakistan are infected with Hepatitis. Discussing the reasons behind the high number of Hepatitis patients in the country, Dr. Khan said that few years back, a visit to the rural areas of Pakistan revealed that blood-screening facilities were literally non-existent. 'Under the Prime Ministers programme, a number of Hepatitis clinics, such as the one at Civil Hospital Karachi, have been set up especially catering to the underprivileged segment of the society, he said while elaborating on the efforts undertaken by the government. In response to a question regarding the role played by the media in educating people about various health issues, Ms. Seema Raza, a producer of Radio Pakistan said that media in Pakistan do not remain silent when they see something untoward happening in the society. 'The role played by the media in highlighting health issues cannot be ignored, she further said. Her words were echoed by Tufail Ahmed, a senior reporter at Express News channel, who said that over the years, media have done a remarkable job in bringing people abreast of the seriousness of diseases such as polio, Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. 'Media today are not just confined to the statements issued by a minister at a health event. Instead these statements are recorded and reproduced to remind our higher-ups about the promises they made, Ahmed said while stressing on the need for the government and the civil society to play a more active role in highlighting social issues. The discussion, titled 'Hepatitis: What We Need to Know, also featured a documentary focusing on the major causes of the spread of Hepatitis in Pakistan with interviews of patients and doctors at different hospitals. Dr. M Shamsuddin congratulated the Dept for holding second consecutive Youth Interactive Forum on burning social issues. He said he is happy that the Dept is not only playing its role in imparting academic knowledge to the students but is also involving them in the process of social development. Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman Dept of Mass Communication, Prof. Dr. Mahmood Ghaznavi, highlighted the role of media in the establishment of an enlightened society where every citizen has awareness about his and her responsibilities. Briefing the audience about the aims and objectives of the Stivya Youth Interactive Forum on Health Awareness, Ms. Samina Qureshi, Assistant Professor Department of Mass Communication and the event organiser, said that the Forum aims to highlight health issues and plans to run follow-up campaigns within the University. She announced at the Forum that the department will organise an exhibition titled 'Talent Shop to celebrate the International Youth Day on 12th of August this year to provide a platform for the youth of Karachi to express their innovative abilities and creative potentials.