ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Health, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharth, appealed for $250 million from the international community during a Hepatitis-C awareness event in Islamabad to screen and treat 50% of the country’s population as part of its elimination efforts.
“The alarming rise of Hepatitis C in Pakistan is a cause of concern not just for us, but for the entire world. Given that this is a global issue, we urge our global partners to contribute to Hepatitis-C eradication. As international partners are already assisting in various health areas, we hope they will help us close the $250 million gap needed for Hepatitis C eradication,” Dr Mukhtar said.
Dr Mukhtar revealed that the federal and provincial governments have already allocated PKR 70 billion for the screening and treatment of 50% of the population. However, to achieve full coverage, including the remaining 50%, an additional $250 million is required. He expressed optimism that the global community would provide the necessary funding to help eliminate Hepatitis C from Pakistan.
“Pakistan has launched an ambitious plan to screen all eligible individuals for Hepatitis C and provide treatment for those who test positive. In the first phase, we will screen and treat 50% of the population using our own resources. However, to screen and treat the remaining 50%, we need international support,” he explained.
Dr Mukhtar emphasised the high prevalence of Hepatitis C across the country and highlighted the significant efforts under the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis C Elimination Programme, launched with a substantial budget of PKR 70 billion.
The programme aims to conduct widespread screening of the population aged 12 and above, ensuring that those who test positive receive free treatment.
He also noted that the success rate of Hepatitis C treatment in Pakistan exceeds 95%, making it crucial for everyone to get screened and tested. Public cooperation, he stressed, is vital to winning the battle against Hepatitis C.
“Hepatitis C is a silent disease, often showing no symptoms. The only way to know your status is through testing,” he added. Dr Mukhtar urged people to always use screened blood to ensure it is free from the Hepatitis virus and to avoid using items that may be contaminated with other people’s blood.
The government, with the collaboration of its partners, is fully committed to eliminating viral Hepatitis by 2030. However, Dr Mukhtar emphasised that public awareness and preventive measures are vital in this effort, as there is currently no vaccine available for Hepatitis C.
This program represents a significant step towards ensuring a Hepatitis C-free Pakistan, but achieving this goal will require both domestic efforts and international support.
Dr. Mukhtar mentioned that when they informed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about the 10 million people infected with the Hepatitis C virus, and that they could be treated and cured, the Prime Minister approved the PKR 70 billion project despite the economic challenges facing the country.
“The biggest issue in Pakistan regarding Hepatitis C is the lack of awareness. Even highly educated people mistakenly believe it is a water-borne disease, so they focus on consuming clean drinking water, not realizing that Hepatitis C is blood-borne. It spreads through the reuse of syringes, unsterilized surgical equipment, transfusion of contaminated blood, reuse of razors by barbers, and other means where blood is exchanged,” he added. He urged healthcare professionals and media to educate the public about Hepatitis C, noting that awareness can prevent people from contracting the virus, while those who are infected can be effectively treated.
Hepatologist Dr Huma Qureshi said: “Hepatitis C is a treatable and curable disease. A project in Islamabad successfully treated 98% of those infected with the virus. If not eliminated, Hepatitis C can lead to liver cirrhosis and cancer among hundreds of thousands of people in Pakistan.”
The event was attended by officials from WHO, IHRA CEO Dr Quaid Saeed, and other senior officials.
