The number of hepatitis patients has begun to rise in the densely populated areas of the city. In six Union Councils (UCs), the number of hepatitis C patients has reached 1,790.
Under the Localised Hepatitis Elimination and Prevention Programme, blood screenings were conducted for 50,568 individuals in Rawalpindi's six UCs (UCs 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, and 15) from July 2023 to April 2025.
Of these, 1,790 were found to be suffering from hepatitis C, 414 from hepatitis B, and 40 were co-infected with both hepatitis B and C. The total number of hepatitis-positive patients is 2,244.
It is important to note that while government hospitals in the city also offer treatment for hepatitis patients, due to certain deficiencies in the system, the general public often turns to the private sector for care.
Under the programme, not only is blood screening provided free of charge, but medications are also offered at no cost. Chief Executive of the Localised Hepatitis Elimination and Prevention Programme, says the programme is funded through donations.
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