Pakistan to expand Hepatitis C elimination program nationwide

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced plans on Tuesday to expand the Hepatitis C Elimination Program across Pakistan. He emphasized the need for cooperation between federal and provincial governments to fight this disease effectively. At a ceremony in Gilgit-Baltistan, where a pilot project was successfully completed, he promised free treatment facilities for all patients with Hepatitis C. The prime minister acknowledged contributions from the Aga Khan Development Network and the World Health Organization (WHO), which helped make the project successful. PM Shehbaz mentioned that the hepatitis unit was first created at the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute but was later rolled out across the country. He pointed out that the initiative was halted in 2018 but was reinstated under his leadership. Punjab province is already implementing the program. He expressed optimism about eradicating Hepatitis C with swift action, calling it a national priority. Additionally, he announced the establishment of the Jinnah Medical Centre in Islamabad, which he described as the country's version of Johns Hopkins Hospital for public healthcare. Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal stated that the government aims to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2029. He highlighted the importance of partnerships between the public and private sectors to achieve this goal. Minister for National Health Syed Mustafa Kamal also reiterated the aim to complete the elimination by 2030. Dr. Lou Dapeng, a WHO representative, offered ongoing support for Pakistan's efforts to end Hepatitis C. He highlighted that 14,000 people have already been screened in two areas, marking significant progress. The PM’s Hepatitis C Elimination Task Force member Dr. Saeed Akhtar revealed that Rs 68 billion has been allocated for the program, which will unfold in two phases. At the end of the event, PM Shehbaz recognized key contributors to the pilot project, presenting them with shields for their dedication to fighting Hepatitis C.