Today, we renew our national resolve to eliminate viral hepatitis and safeguard the health and wellbeing of every Pakistani. World Hepatitis Day serves as a reminder that while Hepatitis remains one of the most significant public health challenge facing our nation, yet it is preventable and can be cured through early detection, early treatment, collective commitment and sustained action.
Pakistan bears one of the highest Hepatitis C burdens in the world, affecting millions of individuals and placing a considerable strain on our healthcare system, economy and society. The challenge before us is immense, but so is our determination to overcome it.
To stem this tide, we must confront the primary drivers of this epidemic in our society including the use of unsterilised medical equipment, the unsafe reuse of syringes, unscreened blood transfusions and unsanitary practices in barbershops and beauty salons. The key to overcoming this crisis is a robust, two-pronged strategy of strict regulation and enforcement to eliminate unsafe healthcare and commercial practices, combined with mass public awareness campaigns to empower citizens with the knowledge to protect themselves and their families.
Recognising the urgency of this national challenge, the Government of Pakistan launched the Prime Minister's National Programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C Infection, a landmark initiative aimed at providing free screening, diagnosis and treatment services to the people of Pakistan.
The Programme has successfully commenced its field operations in Islamabad, where more than 10,000 individuals have already been screened through community-based and mobile screening initiatives, and the campaign will soon expand to Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. I also commend the provincial governments, which are independently implementing Hepatitis C elimination programmes and making valuable contributions towards achieving our shared national goal.
Despite fiscal constraints and competing national priorities, the Government has remained steadfast in allocating resources for this critical public health initiative. We remain committed to utilising every available resource efficiently, strengthening partnerships with provincial governments, development partners, the private sector and civil society and ensuring that this national mission continues without losing momentum.
Eliminating Hepatitis requires a collective approach. Healthcare professionals, researchers, development partners, educational institutions, the media, religious leaders, civil society organisations and citizens have an indispensable role in promoting awareness, encouraging screening, ensuring safe healthcare practices and preventing the transmission of infection.
I extend deep appreciation to our doctors, nurses, laboratory professionals, programme managers, field teams and all healthcare workers whose dedication and professionalism continue to bring hope to thousands of families.
I urge every Pakistani to come forward for Hepatitis C screening, encourage family members to do the same and seek timely treatment where required. Early diagnosis saves lives, prevents further transmission and contributes to a healthier and more productive nation.
Our vision is to transform Pakistan from a country carrying the world's highest Hepatitis C burden into a nation recognised for its successful elimination of this disease. I am confident that Pakistan can achieve the goal of eliminating Hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030, in line with our national commitments and the World Health Organization's elimination targets.
With unwavering national unity and perseverance, we shall overcome this challenge and secure a healthier future for Pakistan.
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