Hepatitis A Silent Barrier to Employment for Pakistanis in GCC Countries
News Desk
Islamabad: Pakistan’s efforts to send workers abroad face setbacks due to the high prevalence of hepatitis, limiting job opportunities in Gulf countries.
Thousands of Pakistanis aspiring to work in countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are facing an unexpected barrier to their dreams: hepatitis. Despite possessing the necessary education, skills, and qualifications, many are being turned away due to a hidden obstacle—hepatitis.
In 2024, Pakistan fell short of its target to send 1 million workers abroad, sending only 727,000. This marks a 100,000 decrease compared to the previous year.
According to data, hepatitis is one of the main reasons behind this shortfall. Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, revealed that a significant number of workers, every fifth or sixth person undergoing medical tests, are diagnosed with hepatitis during the medical checks required for overseas employment.
For many, this diagnosis means the end of their hopes. Ahmed, a 32-year-old electrician from Malakand, had been preparing for months for a job in Saudi Arabia. His dreams were shattered when he was diagnosed with hepatitis C during the required medical examination.
“I felt like my world had turned upside down. I had no symptoms and never imagined I could have the disease. Suddenly, my dreams and all my money were ruined,” Ahmed shared.
Pakistan is among the countries most affected by hepatitis, with about 12 million people infected with hepatitis B or C, according to the Pakistan Medical Research Council (PMRC). The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a 4.9 percent prevalence of hepatitis C and a 2.5 percent prevalence of hepatitis B, the highest rates globally.
Unsafe medical practices, untrained healthcare providers, unscreened blood transfusions, and unsafe beauty procedures are among the major factors contributing to the spread of hepatitis in Pakistan.
Hepatitis not only poses a public health crisis but also affects Pakistanis’ employment prospects in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. GCC nations, which employ millions of Pakistani workers, require strict medical screenings for foreign workers. Those diagnosed with hepatitis B or C are deemed ineligible for employment, preventing many from securing jobs abroad.
Bushra, a 29-year-old nurse from Karachi, experienced this firsthand. After earning a job opportunity in a major hospital in Kuwait, her dreams were crushed when she was diagnosed with hepatitis C during the medical test.
“I had worked so hard to earn this opportunity, but when the report came, the job was taken away from me. This was very painful,” Bushra said.
In response, the Pakistani government has launched several initiatives to tackle the hepatitis crisis. The Prime Minister’s Hepatitis C Elimination Program, aiming to eradicate hepatitis by 2030, has allocated Rs 67.77 billion for three years, with contributions from both federal and provincial governments.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/pakistan-faces-17b-economic-loss-from-malnutrition/
The program includes large-scale screening campaigns and free treatment initiatives across the country, especially in Punjab, where over 10 million people have been screened, and thousands have received free treatment.
Despite these efforts, the lack of healthcare facilities and public awareness in rural areas continues to pose significant challenges. Experts warn that without improved national screening and treatment strategies, the goal of eliminating hepatitis by 2030 may remain out of reach.
Minister Ahsan Iqbal has indicated that Pakistan is exploring the Egyptian model, which successfully controlled hepatitis, as a possible solution to the crisis.
Dr Zubair, a renowned hepatologist in Islamabad, emphasized the importance of early screening, vaccination, and treatment in preventing the spread of hepatitis. He stated, “Hepatitis is not just a disease; it causes social stigma, and the lack of awareness and healthcare facilities worsens the situation.”
The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis has acknowledged hepatitis as a significant factor in the country’s failure to meet last year’s target. Officials have urged both federal and provincial governments to recognize the importance of controlling the disease, warning that if left unaddressed, the issue will worsen, further hindering employment opportunities for Pakistanis abroad.
As Pakistan continues its fight against hepatitis, both domestically and in relation to foreign employment prospects, experts stress that overcoming the disease will require a coordinated national effort, enhanced awareness, and better health facilities.
All the information provided in this report is the sole responsibility of the reporter.
The report, originally published in Urdu News, has been translated and reproduced by PenPK.com.
