Pakistan seeks global action on hepatitis amid WHO concerns

Pakistan is spearheading a diplomatic push at the United Nations to galvanize global action against viral hepatitis. The country's Permanent Mission to the UN, alongside the UN Group of Friends to Eliminate Hepatitis, hosted a strategic briefing during the UN High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS.

The event, themed “Advancing Hepatitis Elimination: Building Momentum toward High-Level Political Action,” convened health officials, diplomats, and global health experts. Discussions focused on viral hepatitis, a disease responsible for approximately 1.3 million deaths worldwide each year. A key objective discussed was securing a standalone UN High-Level Meeting on Viral Hepatitis by 2028.

New data from the World Health Organization (WHO) underscores the significant challenge posed by the disease, particularly in Pakistan. The briefing aimed to build international consensus and support for intensified efforts to combat hepatitis, aligning with global health agendas and the urgent need for political commitment to achieve elimination goals.