The federal government has announced a nationwide screening campaign for Hepatitis C. The decision comes as the number of patients in Pakistan has crossed 11 million.
The initiative will target citizens aged 12 and above across the country. Dr. Zia Dawar, Director of the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis Prevention Program, shared the details.
According to Dr. Dawar, the government plans to screen around 160 million people. The large-scale campaign will cover different regions across Pakistan.
The program will be completed in three major stages. These stages will include screening, testing, and treatment.
The government will cover the full cost of diagnosis and treatment under the initiative. This will allow eligible citizens to access services without paying the related expenses.
Officials estimate that screening and testing will cost around Rs7,500 per person. Treatment expenses could reach up to Rs64,000 for each patient.
Federal government employees will also be required to undergo Hepatitis C testing. Authorities may recommend withholding salaries from employees who refuse the mandatory testing.
Screening camps will be established across federal ministries. These facilities will help government employees complete the required testing process.
The government also plans to screen passengers at airports. This measure is part of the broader effort to identify cases across the country.
Authorities have already established screening and treatment facilities at 18 government hospitals. The government is also considering expanding testing services to private hospitals.
The nationwide campaign aims to identify infected people at an early stage. Early detection can help patients receive timely medical care.
The initiative also seeks to increase access to treatment for people diagnosed with the virus. Officials expect the program to cover a significant portion of the population.
Pakistan faces a major public health challenge due to the high number of Hepatitis C cases. The government’s planned campaign is designed to improve detection and treatment nationwide.
The screening drive will cover citizens from the age of 12. Authorities will use screening facilities and dedicated camps to support the process.
The government has also linked the campaign with federal workplace testing. Employees will be encouraged to complete the required screening within the planned framework.
With millions of people affected, officials are focusing on a large-scale national response. The program is expected to provide screening, testing, and treatment through government-supported facilities.
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The nationwide initiative marks a major step toward identifying Hepatitis C cases across Pakistan. Its success will depend on effective implementation and public participation.
