Over 22k hepatitis patients confirmed in 13 Ucs

A total of 2,638 residents in 13 union councils of Rawalpindi district have been confirmed to be suffering from the life-threatening disease Hepatitis. More than 54,000 people were tested under the donation-based Localised Hepatitis Elimination and Prevention Programme, which is responsible for providing free diagnostics and medicines.

Between 10 July 2023 and 5 November 2025, programme teams visited 11,320 households and conducted hepatitis tests for 54,569 people. Among them, 490 tested positive for Hepatitis B and 2,080 for Hepatitis C.

A total of 68 individuals were infected with both B and C, including eight pregnant women. Overall, 2,638 people tested positive. For Hepatitis C, 13,413 patients received the first dose of medicine, 7,819 received the second, and 194 received the third dose. For Hepatitis B, 21,426 patients were vaccinated.

CEO of the programme, Dr Ansar Ishaq, said patients receive free diagnostics and treatment.

Dr Muhammad Iqbal provides ultrasound services, medical specialist Dr Arshad Satti offers check-ups, and Bio Path Lab conducts free tests. Medicines and vaccinations are funded through donations from philanthropists. Dr Ishaq added that poverty, lack of health awareness and education, financial constraints and limited access to healthcare have contributed to the rapid spread of hepatitis.