Pakistan is escalating its nationwide campaign to eliminate Hepatitis C, a disease currently affecting over 10 million citizens and representing a substantial portion of the global burden, with a firm commitment to achieving eradication by 2030.
Federal Minister for Health, Mr. Mustafa Kamal, today presided over a high-level deliberation to assess the nation”s advancement and readiness in confronting the Hepatitis C epidemic. The gathering brought together key officials, including leaders of federal medical institutions, the District Health Officer for Islamabad, and the Director of the national Hepatitis C Programme, alongside representatives from various government agencies and relevant stakeholders.
The central focus of the meeting was to evaluate the establishment and operational preparedness of Hepatitis C diagnostic centres across the country, integral to a comprehensive national elimination strategy. Mr. Kamal underscored the critical necessity for immediate and impactful interventions, given the profound challenge posed by the virus.
In the initial stage of this ambitious undertaking, a total of 21 diagnostic centres are being set up across Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. This deployment includes six centres in Gilgit-Baltistan and three in AJK, with multiple facilities planned for Islamabad”s major healthcare providers such as PIMS Hospital, Federal General Hospital (Polyclinic), NIRM, CDA health clinics, and various primary healthcare establishments.
The programme is slated for significant expansion during its second phase, encompassing an impressive 84 health facilities within Islamabad, 618 across Gilgit-Baltistan, and 1,012 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Minister Kamal issued directives for 12 diagnostic centres in Islamabad to commence operations by the forthcoming week. He also stressed the importance of ensuring the timely provision of essential screening kits and supplies at all designated locations and called for a soft launch of these facilities in the capital.
Furthermore, the Minister confirmed that all individuals testing positive for Hepatitis C would undergo PCR confirmation, followed by the provision of complimentary treatment. He asserted that widespread screening, prompt diagnosis, and effective therapeutic interventions are paramount to strengthening the nation”s healthcare infrastructure.
A well-coordinated and efficacious strategy has been formulated to achieve Hepatitis C elimination, with a firm commitment to reaching this objective by 2030. Labelling the eradication of Hepatitis C a national imperative, Mr. Kamal underscored the necessity of collaborative endeavours from all stakeholders to fulfil this goal.
He concluded by reiterating that safeguarding citizens from illness remains the government’s foremost priority, pledging that all conceivable measures would be implemented to protect human lives.