Pakistan to Launch Nationwide Hepatitis C
Pakistan to Launch Nationwide Hepatitis C. The federal government is preparing to launch a nationwide screening campaign for Hepatitis C as the number of people affected by the disease in Pakistan continues to rise.
Under the planned initiative, citizens aged 12 years and above will be screened for Hepatitis C. The government aims to reach approximately 160 million people across the country as part of a large-scale effort to identify infections earlier and connect patients with treatment.
Nationwide Hepatitis C Screening to Cover 160 Million People
Dr. Zia Dawar, Director of the Prime Ministerβs Hepatitis Prevention Program, said the campaign will focus on screening a very large portion of the population.
The initiative is expected to follow a three-step process:
- Initial screening
- Diagnostic testing
- Treatment for patients who test positive
The government plans to cover the costs associated with diagnosis and treatment under the program, which could make hepatitis services more accessible to people who might otherwise struggle to afford them.
Government to Cover Screening and Treatment Costs
According to officials, screening and diagnostic testing could cost approximately Rs. 7,500 per person. For patients requiring treatment, expenses may reach around Rs. 64,000 per patient.
The planned government-funded approach is intended to reduce the financial burden on patients and encourage more people to get tested.
Early identification can also help authorities better understand the scale of Hepatitis C infections and improve access to treatment.
Federal Employees May Also Be Required to Get Tested
The screening campaign will also cover federal government employees.
Special screening camps are expected to be established at federal ministries and other government offices so employees can undergo testing more conveniently.
Officials have also discussed possible action against employees who refuse testing, including the possibility of withholding salaries. Any such measure would depend on the final government policy and implementation rules.
Hepatitis C Screening May Be Introduced at Airports
The government is also considering screening passengers at airports as part of the broader nationwide campaign.
The proposal would expand screening beyond hospitals and government offices and could help authorities reach people who may not otherwise visit healthcare facilities for hepatitis testing.
However, the exact procedure for airport screening and how it would be implemented has yet to be clarified.
Screening and Treatment Facilities Available at Government Hospitals
The government has already established Hepatitis C screening and treatment facilities at 18 government hospitals.
Authorities are also considering involving private hospitals to expand the availability of testing services.
If private healthcare facilities are included, citizens could have more options for getting tested and receiving treatment, particularly in areas where government facilities are limited.
Why Hepatitis C Screening Is Important
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that primarily affects the liver. Many infected people may not experience obvious symptoms for years, which means the disease can remain undetected.
A nationwide screening program can help identify infections earlier. People who receive a positive screening result can then undergo further diagnostic testing and, where required, begin appropriate treatment.
The government’s proposed campaign therefore focuses not only on finding patients but also on connecting those diagnosed with the disease to treatment.
What Happens After Hepatitis C Screening?
The planned three-stage process is expected to work broadly as follows:
Step 1 β Screening:
People will initially be screened to identify those who may have Hepatitis C.
Step 2 β Testing:
Individuals with a positive screening result would undergo further testing to confirm the infection.
Step 3 β Treatment:
Patients confirmed to have Hepatitis C would be provided with treatment under the government-supported program.
This approach is designed to create a complete pathway from identifying potential cases to providing medical care.
Pakistan’s Large-Scale Hepatitis C Initiative
With millions of people reportedly affected by Hepatitis C, the proposed nationwide campaign represents a major public-health initiative.
The planned screening of people aged 12 and above, expansion of testing facilities and government-funded treatment could help authorities identify previously undiagnosed cases and improve access to care.
The campaign is expected to be rolled out in phases, while further details about registration, screening locations, testing procedures and the final implementation schedule are awaited from the authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will be screened under the new Hepatitis C campaign?
The planned campaign will target citizens aged 12 years and above, with an overall screening target of around 160 million people.
Will the government pay for Hepatitis C treatment?
According to the information released about the initiative, the government plans to bear the cost of diagnosis and treatment for eligible patients under the program.
How much could Hepatitis C testing cost?
Officials have estimated screening and testing expenses at approximately Rs. 7,500 per patient.
How much could treatment cost?
Treatment expenses could reach approximately Rs. 64,000 per patient, according to the program’s current estimates.
Where will screening be available?
Screening facilities have already been established at 18 government hospitals. Camps are also planned at federal ministries, while expansion to private hospitals is being considered.
Final Word
Pakistan’s proposed nationwide Hepatitis C screening campaign aims to identify infections on a much larger scale and improve access to diagnosis and treatment. With a target of around 160 million people, the initiative could become one of the country’s largest disease-screening efforts.
Citizens should wait for official announcements regarding the campaign’s launch date, screening locations and eligibility procedures before taking any action.
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