National Programme Expands Access to Hepatitis Care

People across Pakistan are set to gain wider access to free hepatitis C screening and treatment through a nationwide programme aimed at eliminating the disease as a public health threat.

“This programme is a major step towards achieving the 2030 global goal of eliminating hepatitis C as a public health threat,” said Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Pakistan. “The programme could also avert 850,000 deaths and 1.1 million new infections by 2050.”

The initiative aims to reach 1.6 million people during its first six months, with later phases expected to extend coverage to more than 164 million people nationwide. The programme includes free screening and a three- to six-month treatment course funded through a Rs67 billion allocation, while also strengthening prevention measures and early detection to reduce the long-term impact of the disease.