ISLAMABAD – Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Health, revealed on Saturday that Pakistan has the world’s largest number of hepatitis C (HCV) patients, with 10 million of the global 60 million cases.
Speaking at a seminar organized by the Health Foundation on hepatitis elimination, Dr. Bharath emphasized the need for urgent collective action to combat the disease, which poses a significant public health challenge.
“If we do not act, Pakistan will face over 11 million HCV cases by 2035, leading to more than 500,000 cases of liver cirrhosis, 100,000 cases of liver cancer, and 130,000 HCV-related deaths,” he warned. The economic toll would exceed $285 million annually, he added.
Dr. Bharath pointed out that only 16% of hepatitis C cases in Pakistan had been treated as of 2021, with limited access to testing and treatment being major barriers.
To address these challenges, the federal and provincial governments have jointly launched the Prime Minister’s Programme for the Elimination of HCV Infection, with a funding commitment of Rs67.77 billion over the next three years. The federal government will contribute Rs34.15 billion, while provincial governments will allocate Rs33.61 billion.
Highlighting the program’s initiatives, Dr. Bharath said, “Pakistan has made significant strides toward hepatitis elimination, including the establishment of a National Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for hepatitis control, strategic frameworks, and ensuring access to affordable generic Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs). Efforts are also underway to scale up vaccination, screening, and treatment nationwide.”
However, he stressed that further support was needed to enhance these efforts, calling for international collaboration.
“We need support to develop detailed plans, strengthen monitoring and healthcare systems, train healthcare workers, and expand logistics and national software,” he said.
The program aims to screen, test, and treat 50% of the eligible population within three years, with a vision to meet global HCV elimination targets before 2030.
Dr. Bharath urged international partners to help Pakistan achieve 100% coverage and eliminate hepatitis C, placing the country at the forefront of the global fight against the disease.
