Overview of Hepatitis C Elimination Efforts in Pakistan and the Launch of Prime Minister’s Programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C

Authors

  • Huma Qureshi National Focal Point Hepatitis, Islamabad,
  • Saeed Akhter Kidney Transplant Surgeon, Pakistan Liver Kidney Institute, Lahore,
  • Hassan Mahmood Coordinator, National Technical Advisory Group on Viral Hepatitis, Ministry of National Health, Services, Regulations and Coordination, Islamabad,
  • Saeed Hamid Professor of Medicine, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Director, Clinical Trials Unit, Aga Khan University, Karachi,
  • Ammara Naveed Consultant Hepatologist, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Centre, Lahore,
  • Aamir Ghafoor Khan Head of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar,
  • Shabana Saleem Director General Health, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination Islamabad,
  • Mariyam Sarfraz Director Programs, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation & Coordination, Islamabad,
  • Atiya Aabroo Deputy Director Programmes (I), Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation & Coordination, Islamabad,
  • Ambreen Arif Senior Researcher, Doctors Plaza, Clifton Karachi, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.24-97

Abstract

Hepatitis B and C are serious viral infections that cancause liver damage and death. According to the WorldHealth Organization (WHO), there are currently 2.8 millionpeople living with hepatitis B in Pakistan, and 9.8 millionpeople living with hepatitis C.1 These numbers representa significant burden of disease for the country. Thecurrent prevalence of hepatitis B in Pakistan is 1.1%,which corresponds to one-quarter of the burden of thedisease in the Eastern Mediterranean region.1 Theprevalence of hepatitis C is 7.5%, which is the highest inthe world. Almost 37,000 people die each year in Pakistandue to hepatitis B and C.2 The high prevalence of hepatitisB and C in Pakistan is a major public health concern. Theseinfections can lead to serious health complications,including liver cancer and cirrhosis. The economic cost ofhepatitis in Pakistan is also significant, due to lostproductivity and healthcare expenses.

Continued...

Additional Files

Published

2024-11-17

How to Cite

Huma Qureshi, Saeed Akhter, Hassan Mahmood, Saeed Hamid, Ammara Naveed, Aamir Ghafoor Khan, Shabana Saleem, Mariyam Sarfraz, Atiya Aabroo, & Ambreen Arif. (2024). Overview of Hepatitis C Elimination Efforts in Pakistan and the Launch of Prime Minister’s Programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 74(12), 2188–2190. https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.24-97

Issue

Vol. 74 No. 12 (2024): DECEMBER

Section

COMMENTARY

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.