ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis C Elimination Programme in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), setting an ambitious goal to eliminate the disease as a public health threat by 2030.
1.6 million people to be reached in first six months
Pakistan and the WHO launched the programme in Islamabad with the goal of reaching 1.6 million people in the area over the next six months, and over 164 million across the country in subsequent phases. The main goal is to eliminate Hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030, as agreed upon by the World Health Assembly.
Rs 67 billion allocated, free treatment announced
Speaking at an event in Islamabad, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said that Rs67 billion had been allocated to combat one of Pakistan’s most serious public health challenges. A complete three to six-month treatment course will be provided free of cost under the programme.
Kamal highlighted the alarming burden of hepatitis C, stating that out of nearly 60 million hepatitis patients worldwide, approximately 10 million are in Pakistan. He further noted that nearly 80 per cent of patients remain unaware of their condition and unknowingly continue to transmit the disease.
وزیرِاعظم کے پروگرام برائے انسداد ہیپاٹائٹس سی کے سافٹ لانچ کی تقریب میں وفاقی وزیرِ صحت سید مصطفی کمال نے خطاب کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ پاکستان میں ہیپاٹائٹس سی کے خاتمے کا عملی آغاز ہو چکا ہے۔ یہ پروگرام گزشتہ 10 سال کی کوششوں کا نتیجہ ہے اور اس پر 67 ارب روپے کی خطیر لاگت مختص کی گئی… pic.twitter.com/R2hdk1miFy
— Syed Mustafa Kamal (@KamalMQM) May 13, 2026
Minister stresses prevention over ‘sick-care’ model
Hepatitis C is a life-threatening disease that can eventually lead to liver cancer if left untreated. Prevention is better than a cure. The true meaning of healthcare is to prevent people from becoming sick, Kamal remarked, adding that Pakistan’s healthcare system must transition from a “sick-care” model to a genuine healthcare system focused on prevention and early intervention.
NADRA integration and screening counters established
The minister informed that, with the support of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), nationwide screening would be conducted using national database integration to ensure maximum outreach and transparency.
Initially, 12 Hepatitis C screening counters have been established at federal hospitals in Islamabad for diagnosis and patient facilitation. Kamal urged citizens to actively participate in the screening campaign, emphasising that the programme’s success depended heavily on public cooperation.
Rs 7,000 test and treatment now free of cost
Kamal announced that the hepatitis C screening test, which typically costs around Rs7,000, along with a complete three to six-month treatment course, would now be provided free of cost under the programme.
He warned that hepatitis patients may transmit the disease to their family and surrounding community, appealing to the public to undergo timely screening before the disease progresses to an irreversible stage.
WHO pledges support, predicts 850,000 deaths averted
Speaking at the event, WHO representative in Pakistan, Dr Luo Dapeng, said, “This programme is a major step towards achieving the 2030 global goal of eliminating hepatitis C as a public health threat. The programme could also avert 850,000 deaths and 1.1 million new infections by 2050.”
He added that WHO will stand with Pakistan and its people to implement this initiative, following medical science and adapting global best practices to the Pakistani context.
Prevention key to ending the disease
Dr Luo further stated that detecting and treating hepatitis is essential, but prevention is the key to ending the disease, including preventing mother-to-child transmission, ensuring safe injections and blood transfusions, and harm reduction.
