Hepatitis-C elimination: Largest public health initiative worth Rs67bn launched

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has launched Pakistan’s largest public health initiative for the elimination of Hepatitis-C, costing Rs67 billion.

The Prime Minister’s Programme for the elimination of Hepatitis-C was formally launched by the Federal Minister for National Health Services, Mustafa Kamal, at an event here on Wednesday.

Addressing the event, the minister said that the step marked the formal initiation of a landmark national effort aimed at combating one of Pakistan’s most serious public health challenges.

Kamal termed the initiative as “historic and revolutionary” for Pakistan’s healthcare sector, stating that after a decade of sustained efforts, the Hepatitis C Elimination Programme has finally been launched.

Syed Mustafa Kamal highlighted the alarming burden of Hepatitis C, stating that out of nearly 60 million Hepatitis patients worldwide, approximately 10 million are in Pakistan alone. He further noted that nearly 80 percent of patients remain unaware of their condition and unknowingly continue to transmit the disease.

The Minister stressed that Hepatitis C is a life-threatening disease that can eventually lead to liver cancer if left untreated. “Prevention is better than a cure. The true meaning of healthcare is to prevent people from becoming sick,” he remarked, adding that Pakistan’s healthcare system must transition from a “sick-care” model to a genuine healthcare system focused on prevention and early intervention. He informed that, with the support of the National Database and Registration Authority, nationwide screening will be conducted using national database integration to ensure maximum outreach and transparency.

Initially, 12 Hepatitis C screening counters have been established at federal hospitals in Islamabad for diagnosis and facilitation of patients. The Federal Minister urged citizens to actively participate in the screening campaign, emphasizing that the programme’s success depends heavily on public cooperation. He announced that the Hepatitis C screening test, which typically costs around Rs7,000, along with a complete three to six months treatment course, will be provided free of cost under the programme.

Drawing inspiration from Egypt, which successfully eliminated Hepatitis C through mass screening campaigns, Syed Mustafa Kamal said Pakistan can achieve similar success through collective effort and determination. The Minister warned that a single Hepatitis patient affects not only themselves but also their family and the surrounding community. He appealed to the public to undergo timely screening before the disease progresses to an irreversible stage.

Kamal also acknowledged the immense pressure on Pakistan’s healthcare system due to rapid population growth, noting that doctors expected to examine 30 patients are often forced to attend to over 350 patients daily. He directed hospital administrations and healthcare staff to extend full cooperation to citizens visiting screening centres and to ensure courteous and respectful treatment of all patients.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026