Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal chaired a meeting on the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis C Program in Islamabad, which was also attended by Professor Saeed Akhtar, head of the national technical advisory group on hepatitis.
The meeting was attended by the Additional Secretary Health, Project Director Hepatitis C, heads of hospitals and the District Health Officer Islamabad. The Project Director briefed participants on the progress of Hepatitis C screening in the federal capital.
Mustafa Kamal said the pilot phase in Islamabad was launched to identify the practical problems being faced in the system. He said all such issues would now be resolved effectively and the system would be fully stabilised within the next 15 days.
He said timely identification and treatment of Hepatitis C carriers can help prevent the spread of the disease. He added that Pakistan has more than 10 million Hepatitis C patients and said the eradication of Hepatitis C is a national cause.
Mustafa Kamal said the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis C Program is among the government’s top priorities and that making Pakistan hepatitis free is a national commitment. He said this is not only a program but a campaign to secure the country’s future.
He said PIMS and Poly Clinic Hospital will play a key role in the success of the Hepatitis C Program in Islamabad. He also urged an increased public awareness campaign so that every citizen understands their national responsibility and gets tested.
The minister said Hepatitis C is treatable and that eliminating the disease is not only the government’s responsibility but a joint responsibility of the entire nation. He appealed to the citizens of Islamabad to take part fully in this national campaign.
Mustafa Kamal said the government is making full efforts to provide free screening and free treatment facilities to citizens. He said the state is providing free treatment to all those who are diagnosed with Hepatitis C.
