Historic hepatitis programme rolled out

Offers free screening tests, six-month treatment at 12 hospitals across capital

ISLAMABAD:

Of the nearly 60 million hepatitis patients worldwide, approximately 10 million are in Pakistan alone, and of them, nearly 80 per cent of patients remain unaware of their condition and unknowingly continue to transmit the disease.

The Prime Minister's Hepatitis C Elimination Programme launched by Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal Calls is a historic step towards a healthier Pakistan.

Syed Mustafa Kamal addressed the soft-launch ceremony of the Prime Minister's Programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C, marking the formal initiation of a landmark national effort aimed at combating one of Pakistan's most serious public health challenges.

Speaking at the ceremony, he termed the day as "historic and revolutionary" for Pakistan's healthcare sector. He said the programme, valued at Rs67 billion, represents one of the largest public health interventions undertaken in the country.

The Minister stressed that Hepatitis C is a life-threatening disease that can eventually lead to liver cancer if left untreated. "Prevention is better than cure. The true meaning of healthcare is to prevent people from becoming sick," he remarked, adding that Pakistan's healthcare system must transition from a "sick-care" model to a genuine healthcare system focused on prevention and early intervention.

He said that, with the support of the National Database and Registration Authority, nationwide screening will be conducted through the integration of the national database to ensure maximum outreach and transparency.

Initially, 12 Hepatitis C screening counters have been established at federal hospitals in Islamabad for diagnosis and facilitation of patients.

The Federal Minister urged citizens to actively participate in the screening campaign, emphasising that the programme's success depends heavily on public cooperation. He announced that the Hepatitis C screening test, which typically costs around Rs7,000, along with a complete three to six-months treatment course, will be provided free of cost under the programme.

Drawing inspiration from Egypt, which successfully eliminated Hepatitis C through mass screening campaigns, Syed Mustafa Kamal said Pakistan can achieve similar success through collective effort and determination. "If Egypt can eliminate Hepatitis C, why can't Pakistan?" he questioned.

The Minister warned that a single Hepatitis patient affects not only themselves but also their family and surrounding community. He appealed to the public to undergo timely screening before the disease progresses to an irreversible stage.

He also acknowledged the immense pressure on Pakistan's healthcare system due to its rapid population growth, noting that doctors expected to examine 30 patients are often forced to attend to over 350 patients daily. He directed hospital administrations and healthcare staff to extend full cooperation to citizens visiting screening centres and to ensure courteous and respectful treatment of all patients.