In a significant step towards the establishment of a specialised hepatitis hospital in Rawalpindi, the Punjab government has registered the Local Hepatitis Elimination and Prevention Programme (LHEAP) as an "Urban Hepatitis Filter Clinic."
This initiative aims to provide free diagnosis and treatment for hepatitis within the region.
Under the umbrella of LHEAP, individuals afflicted with hepatitis can now avail themselves of complimentary PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests along with other essential medical examinations and medications, all funded by the Punjab government.
LHEAP Chief Executive Officer Dr Ansar Ishaq emphasised that despite the cessation of funding from a US-based Task Force for Global Health, the programme continues to operate through local resource management efforts.
Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Secretary Ali Jan Khan approved the registration of LHEAP as an "Urban Hepatitis Filter Clinic," endorsing the proposal put forth by Punjab senior minister Maryam Aurangzeb, alongside members of the National and Provincial Assembly from Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), including Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Barrister Danyal Chaudhry, Ziaullah Shah, and Raja Hanif.
Dr Ishaq further revealed plans for the expansion of the Urban Hepatitis Filter Clinic into a fully-equipped hepatitis hospital within the premises of the Municipal Medical Centre’s Red Crescent Building.
The envisioned hospital will accommodate up to 120 beds, segregated into male and female wards, with essential facilities such as 13 ventilators, an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), emergency services, an Outpatient Department (OPD), two wards, and a laboratory.
Highlighting the alarming rise in hepatitis cases within Rawalpindi, Dr Ishaq stressed the importance of proactive screening to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment, thereby potentially saving lives.
He underscored the critical role of public awareness campaigns initiated under LHEAP to educate citizens about the causes of hepatitis and preventive measures.
As Rawalpindi prepares to welcome its first hepatitis hospital, funded and supported by the Punjab government, efforts are underway to address the growing health challenges posed by this potentially fatal disease. Through collaborative endeavours between healthcare authorities and community engagement, the aim is to mitigate the impact of hepatitis and enhance the well-being of the populace.
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