Pakistan, WHO launch Prime Minister's Hepatitis C Elimination Programme

Islamabad, Pakistan – In a significant stride towards public health, Pakistan, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has officially launched the Prime Minister's Hepatitis C Elimination Programme. This ambitious initiative, rolled out in Islamabad, represents a critical national effort to combat one of the country's most pressing health challenges and aligns with global goals set by the World Health Assembly to eradicate Hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030.

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Pakistan and the WHO today launched the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis C Elimination Programme in Islamabad with the goal of reaching 1.6 million people in the area over the next 6 months, and over 164 million across the country in subsequent phases.

The program's comprehensive strategy includes reaching an initial 1.6 million people within the next six months and extending its reach to over 164 million across the nation in subsequent phases. A substantial allocation of Rs67 billion has been earmarked for this endeavor, underscoring the government's commitment. A key component of the program is the provision of a complete three- to six-month treatment course, offered entirely free of cost to patients. This move is particularly crucial given the high prevalence of Hepatitis C in Pakistan, estimated to be around 10 million cases out of nearly 60 million worldwide, with a significant portion of patients remaining unaware of their condition.

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The main goal is to eliminate Hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030, as agreed upon by the World Health Assembly

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal emphasized the importance of transitioning from a "sick-care" model to a genuine healthcare system focused on prevention and early intervention. The program incorporates nationwide screening facilitated by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to ensure maximum outreach and transparency. The minister urged active public participation, stressing that the program's success hinges on citizen cooperation. The WHO representative in Pakistan, Dr. Luo Dapeng, hailed the initiative as a major step towards the 2030 global goal, projecting that the program could avert hundreds of thousands of deaths and new infections by 2050. This national program reflects Pakistan's proactive approach to public health crises and its dedication to achieving international health targets.

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Rs67 billion had been allocated to combat one of Pakistan’s most serious public health challenges