“Poverty, lack of education, financial constraints, limited access to health care contribute to the spread of hepatitis”
RAWALPINDI:
A total of 2,638 residents of 13 union councils in Rawalpindi district have been confirmed to be suffering from the life-threatening disease Hepatitis. More than 54,000 people were tested under the donation-based Localized Hepatitis Elimination and Prevention Program, which is responsible for providing free diagnostics and medication.
Between July 10, 2023 and November 5, 2025, program teams visited 11,320 households and performed hepatitis tests for 54,569 people. Among them, 490 tested positive for hepatitis B and 2,080 for hepatitis C.
A total of 68 people were infected with both B and C, including eight pregnant women. Overall, 2,638 people tested positive. For hepatitis C, 13,413 patients received the first dose of medication, 7,819 received the second, and 194 received the third dose. For hepatitis B, 21,426 patients were vaccinated.
Managing director of the program, Dr. Ansar Ishaq, said that patients get free diagnostics and treatment.
Dr. Muhammad Iqbal provides ultrasound services, medical specialist Dr. Arshad Satti offers check-ups and Bio Path Lab performs free tests. Medicines and vaccinations are financed through donations from philanthropists. Dr. Ishaq added that poverty, lack of health awareness and education, financial constraints and limited access to healthcare have contributed to the rapid spread of hepatitis.
