Hepatitis-C claims lives of 80,000 Pakistanis annually

Islamabad

Minister of State for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar told the National Assembly on Thursday that there were about eight million cases suffering from Hepatitis-C in the country and about 80,000 die each year due to liver disease.

In reply to a question during question hour in the National Assembly, the minister said at present only Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, has the facility of liver transplant.

She said the government is negotiating with the Shifa International Hospital on a package for liver transplant under Prime Minister's National Health Programme.  She pointed out that a liver transplant facility will be established in the country in cooperation with Bahrain adding the federal government with the help of WHO is providing technical support to the provinces of the treatment of Hepatitis.

To a question, she said at present polio vaccination campaign is being carried out to every nook and corner of the country. "International standard for the storage of vaccines has been adopted and these have been ISO certified," she said.

Answering a question, Minister of State for Interior Muhammad Balighur Rehman on behalf of Minister for Religious Affairs informed the House that the government is considering reducing the Haj package this year.