Pakistan Faces Hepatitis C Crisis with Highest Global Cases, Warns Health Official

ISLAMABAD: Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Health, revealed on Saturday that Pakistan has the highest number of hepatitis C patients in the world, with approximately 10 million cases out of the global total of 60 million. Speaking at a seminar organized by the Health Foundation on hepatitis elimination, Dr. Bharath called on urgent collective action to address the growing public health crisis.

He emphasized that without immediate intervention, the number of hepatitis C cases in Pakistan could rise to over 11 million by 2035, with severe consequences including more than 500,000 cases of liver cirrhosis, over 100,000 instances of liver cancer, and approximately 130,000 deaths. He also warned that the economic impact of hepatitis could result in an annual loss of $285 million.

Dr. Bharath highlighted the limited treatment access for hepatitis C patients in Pakistan, noting that as of 2021, only 16% of those affected had received proper treatment due to inadequate testing and treatment facilities. In response, the federal government has launched the Prime Minister’s Programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C, which will allocate Rs67.77 billion over the next three years, with both federal and provincial governments contributing to the initiative.

The health official praised the progress made so far, such as the creation of a National Technical Advisory Group for hepatitis control, the development of strategic frameworks, and the availability of cost-effective treatment options like Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs). He also pointed out ongoing efforts to expand vaccination, screening, and treatment programs across the country.

However, Dr. Bharath stressed that additional technical and financial support is necessary to scale up these efforts, urging international collaboration for hepatitis C elimination. The government aims to screen, test, and treat 50% of the eligible population within the next three years, with the ultimate goal of achieving global hepatitis C elimination targets by 2030.

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He called on global partners to support Pakistan in eradicating hepatitis C, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation to combat this deadly disease.