Islamabad: Pakistan has sought the World Health Organization’s (WHO) technical guidance and fundraising support to roll out its Rs. 68 billion national hepatitis C elimination plan, as the country struggles with nearly 11 million people living with the virus.
At a meeting in Geneva, Prof. Saeed Akhter, Chairman of the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) and member of the Prime Minister’s Taskforce on Hepatitis C Elimination, shared Pakistan’s implementation plan and appealed for global support.
WHO officials Dr. Fumne Lesi, Dr. Matteo Zingal, and Dr. Daniel Low-Beer outlined successful elimination models worldwide, stressing that every dollar invested saves eleven in future healthcare costs and human suffering. They assured Pakistan of support from WHO headquarters, regional, and country offices, and discussed possible fundraising avenues.
Hepatitis C continues to plague Pakistan with around 400,000 new infections every year, driven by unsafe medical practices, poor infection control, and lack of awareness. The virus is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer, exacting a heavy human and economic toll.
The Rs. 68 billion program includes free nationwide screening, diagnostics, and access to antiviral medicines that cure more than 95 percent of patients. It also focuses on strict regulation of hospitals, clinics, and blood banks to curb new transmissions.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Switzerland Dr. Marghoob Butt attended the meeting, while Dr. Safdar Pasha from WHO’s Pakistan office joined remotely. WHO welcomed the plan but warned that success will depend on timely execution, strong political will, and community outreach.
Health experts believe elimination within a decade is achievable if the program is implemented in full, potentially saving millions of lives and billions in treatment costs.
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