“Poverty, lack of education, financial constraints and limited access to health care contribute to the spread of hepatitis”
RAWALPINDI:
A total of 2,638 residents of 13 union councils in Rawalpindi district have been confirmed to be suffering from the life-threatening disease hepatitis. More than 54,000 people have been tested under the donation-based Localized Hepatitis Elimination and Prevention Program, which is responsible for providing free diagnostics and medicines.
Between July 10, 2023 and November 5, 2025, program teams visited 11,320 households and conducted hepatitis tests on 54,569 people. Of these, 490 tested positive for hepatitis B and 2,080 for hepatitis C.
A total of 68 people were infected with both viruses B and C, including eight pregnant women. A total of 2,638 people have tested positive. For hepatitis C, 13,413 patients received the first dose of the drug, 7,819 the second and 194 the third dose. For hepatitis B, 21,426 patients were vaccinated.
The program’s CEO, Dr Ansar Ishaq, said patients benefit from free diagnostics and treatment.
Dr. Muhammad Iqbal offers ultrasound services, medical specialist Arshad Satti offers exams, and Bio Path Lab conducts free tests. Medicines and vaccines are financed through donations from philanthropists. Dr Ishaq added that poverty, lack of health awareness and education, financial constraints and limited access to healthcare have contributed to the rapid spread of hepatitis.
