The government has launched an initiative in two Gilgit-Baltistan districts to combat the spread of hepatitis C, as part of the Prime Minister’s hepatitis C elimination program, announced Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Barth, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Barth highlighted the importance of controlling the disease because Pakistan has now been classified as the country with the highest prevalence of hepatitis C on a global scale.
As part of the program, a pilot project was launched in two places in Gilgit-Baltistan, namely Mc Chilas in Diammer and UC Mirkhunja in Shigar, in collaboration with the Aga Khan development network.
This project aims to provide free screening and processing facilities to the local population.
Dr. Barth also said that after having assessed the results of the pilot project, the central program will be extended this year to all the districts of Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, followed by a deployment at the national level in all provinces.
Stressing the severity of the problem, Dr. Barth noted that hepatitis C is a major public health problem in Pakistan, which now leads the world to its prevalence.
To combat the crisis, the Ministry of Health has launched an elimination program for hepatitis C of 68 billion rupees in collaboration with the four provinces.
A complete strategy has been designed to curb the generalized transmission of the disease.
Dr. Barth stressed that hepatitis C can be treated with a three -month medication course. However, early detection remains an important challenge.
Device screening and treatment are essential to prevent liver insufficiency and liver cancer in affected individuals.
