Federal Minister for National Health Services and Regulations, Mustafa Kamal, revealed on Tuesday that 21 Hepatitis C diagnostic counters are being established across Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, in the first phase, to facilitate people suffering from this deadly disease.
He expressed these views while chairing a high-level meeting to review progress and preparedness for the elimination of Hepatitis C in Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by heads of federal hospitals, the District Health Officer of Islamabad, and the Director of the Hepatitis C Program. Senior officials, including the Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Director General of Health, representatives from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, NADRA, and other relevant stakeholders, also participated.
The primary objective of the meeting was to review the establishment and operational readiness of Hepatitis C diagnostic counters across the country as part of a comprehensive national elimination strategy.
Addressing the participants, the Federal Health Minister highlighted that more than 10 million people in Pakistan are affected by Hepatitis, noting that the country bears a significant share of the Hepatitis C burden.
Given the magnitude of the challenge, immediate and effective interventions are imperative, he stated.
These 21 Hepatitis C diagnostic counters at the first phase included 6 counters in Gilgit-Baltistan and 3 in AJK, while multiple counters will be set up in Islamabad at major health facilities, including PIMS Hospital, Federal General Hospital (Polyclinic), NIRM, CDA health centers, and various primary healthcare facilities, he said.
In the second phase, the program will be expanded significantly, covering up to 84 health facilities in Islamabad, 618 in Gilgit-Baltistan, and 1,012 in AJK, he added.
The Minister directed that 12 diagnostic counters in Islamabad be made operational by next week and emphasized the need for the timely provision of screening kits and essential supplies at all centers.
He also instructed for a soft launch of these diagnostic counters in Islamabad.
Kamal further stated that all positive cases will be confirmed through PCR testing, and free treatment will be provided to all Hepatitis C patients.
He underscored that large-scale screening, early diagnosis, and effective treatment are critical to strengthening the healthcare system.
A coordinated and effective strategy has been developed for the elimination of Hepatitis C, with a firm commitment to achieving this goal by 2030, he added.
Calling Hepatitis C elimination a national cause, the Minister stressed that collective efforts from all stakeholders are essential to achieve this objective.
Protecting citizens from diseases remains the government’s top priority, and all possible measures will be taken to safeguard human lives, he concluded.
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