Hepatitis eradication plan on the anvil

Health authorities in the Rawalpindi district are set to launch the Hepatitis Free Launching Programme with the aim to provide necessary tests and treatment for hepatitis patients under the pilot phase.

The programme, conducted in collaboration with the District Health Authority and the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination, seeks to raise public awareness about this deadly virus and assess its prevalence in the region.

A meeting chaired by Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha was held to discuss the programme which was attended by Rawalpindi Health Authority CEO Dr Ijaz, District Officer Health Dr Ahsan Ghani, and other officials.

The participants were told the primary objective of the programme was to prevent the spread of the virus and develop effective plans for the future.

Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta lamented the lack of awareness among the public regarding hepatitis, which contributes to the alarming number of deaths and infections worldwide.

Every year, viral hepatitis B and C cause 1.1 million deaths and 3 million new infections globally.

Shockingly, only 10% of individuals with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are diagnosed, and just 22% of them receive treatment, the participants were told. Similarly, 21% of people diagnosed with hepatitis C infection receive treatment, representing only 62% of those diagnosed.

The first phase of the programme will focus on Union Council 10 in Rawalpindi City, targeting 10,000 individuals of all age groups.

Following its success, the second phase will extend to other union councils, covering a population of 0.1 million, offering hepatitis diagnosis and treatment facilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2023.