ISLAMABAD: The presence of nearly 10 million people living with hepatitis C in Pakistan is not only a national concern but also a global health challenge due to the extensive international travel of Pakistani migrants, health officials warned on Saturday. What did
“We know that around 20 million people travel between Pakistan and the UK annually. These migrants contribute to the development of many countries. Hepatitis C in Pakistan is therefore a global health challenge that requires international cooperation. demands,” Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Health Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath told a seminar on Saturday.
Speaking at a seminar organized by the Health Foundation to Promote Public-Private Partnerships for Hepatitis Eradication, Dr Bharath highlighted the need for international support to launch a successful hepatitis eradication program based on Egypt’s success. stressed, noting that Pakistan has sought 50 percent of the resources for the initiative. To the international community, he announced plans for a pilot project to screen and treat 1.1 million eligible people in Gilgit-Baltistan by the end of the year, demonstrating Pakistan’s capacity to eradicate the disease. “If Egypt can do it, so can we,” he said, praising the government’s allocation of Sh68 billion for the program.
Talking about safe blood transfusion, he revealed that Pakistan is finalizing a national blood policy to ensure safe practices and prevent transmission of blood-borne diseases. He stressed the importance of public awareness to dispel misconceptions linking transmission of hepatitis to contaminated water, and clarified that it is a blood-borne infection spread through the exchange of contaminated blood.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal clarified the relationship between public health and economic performance and emphasized that a healthy population is essential for economic development. “Ill health undermines economic growth,” he said, affirming the government’s commitment to tackling hepatitis and other health crises. He announced the government’s commitment to eradicate hepatitis C within three to four years. “If Pakistan can build an atomic bomb, it can also eradicate hepatitis,” he declared, highlighting that the program was part of the government’s broader “Iran Pakistan” initiative, which included health care. Sectors are focused on. “Our success in this initiative will set a precedent for achieving broader national development goals,” he added. Acknowledging the increasing burden of diseases like diabetes and tuberculosis, Ahsan stressed that eradicating these health challenges is a national duty. “We must prioritize health to ensure sustainable development,” he said, stressing continued efforts to maintain political stability and policy continuity for long-term success.
Prof. Saeed Akhtar, member of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Hepatitis Eradication and focal person of the Hepatitis Eradication Program highlighted the importance of the Gilgit-Baltistan pilot project in garnering global support. “We intend to screen 100% of our population and treat those who test positive. This is a monumental task but achievable,” he said, hoping that international donors would see the government’s commitment. will support this program.
Appreciating Egypt’s success in eradicating hepatitis, he said that Pakistan can achieve similar results. He lauded the government for sanctioning Rs 68 billion for the project while stressing the importance of screening and treating the entire population.
Professor Huma Qureshi warned that more than 100 people die every day from hepatitis C-related complications, including liver failure and cancer. He warned that delaying the program would double the number of victims within a decade. “The health care system itself has become a source of transmission due to poor infection prevention practices,” he said, stressing better health care training and awareness.
Director General Health Dr. Shabana Saleem highlighted the importance of public awareness for the success of the program and emphasized on cooperation with civil society organizations and NGOs. He emphasized the involvement of the private sector in creating awareness and providing support for hepatitis screening and treatment.
Dr. Zahid Latif of Al-Khidmat Foundation and representatives of Indus Health Network assured the government of their full support while offering healthcare networks for screening and treatment initiatives.
The seminar concluded with a unanimous call for coordinated national and international efforts to combat hepatitis C, positioning Pakistan as a global success story in public health.