The government has launched an initiative in two districts in Gilgit-Baltistan to combat the spread of Hepatitis C, as part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Hepatitis C Elimination Program, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Barth, spokesman for the Ministry of Health announced.
Dr. Barth emphasized the importance of controlling the disease as Pakistan has now been ranked as the country with the highest spread of hepatitis C globally.
As part of the program, a pilot project has begun at two locations in Gilgit-Baltistan, namely MC Chilas in Diamer and UC Mirkhunja in Shigar, in collaboration with Aga Khan Development Network.
This project aims to provide free screening and treatment facilities to the local population.
Dr. Barth also stated that after evaluating the results of the pilot project, the central program will be expanded this year to all districts in Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, followed by a nationwide roll-out across all provinces.
With the highlight of the difficulty of the problem, Dr. Barth, that hepatitis C is a major public health concern in Pakistan, which is now leading the world into its spread.
To combat the crisis, the Ministry of Health has launched an RS68 billion hepatitis C elimination program in collaboration with all four provinces.
A comprehensive strategy has been devised to limit the widespread transmission of the disease.
Dr. Barth emphasized that hepatitis C can be treated with a three-month medication. However, early detection remains a significant challenge.
Timely screening and treatment are crucial to preventing liver failure and liver cancer among individuals affected.
