Pakistan’s Hepatitis C Patients Exceed 11 Million
News Desk
Islamabad: The number of people affected by Hepatitis C in Pakistan has exceeded 11 million, prompting the government to launch a nationwide screening and treatment initiative.
Speaking to SAMAA, Dr. Zia Dawar, Director of the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis Control Program, said a Hepatitis C screening campaign has been launched in Islamabad, under which every citizen aged 12 and above will be screened.
According to Dr Dawar, around 160 million people across Pakistan will be screened under the program, including approximately 1.7 million residents of Islamabad. All federal government employees will also be tested for Hepatitis C.
He said the initiative will be implemented in three stages: screening, testing and treatment. The government will cover the costs of diagnosis and treatment, with an estimated expenditure of up to Rs7,500 per person for screening and testing and around Rs64,000 for treatment.
Dr. Dawar added that Hepatitis C screening will also be conducted for passengers at airports. Screening and treatment facilities have been established at 18 government hospitals as part of the initiative.
He further said a recommendation would be made to withhold the salaries of federal employees who fail to undergo mandatory Hepatitis C testing.
According to Dr Dawar, around 160 million people across Pakistan will be screened under the program, including approximately 1.7 million residents of Islamabad.
