City Desk
Islamabad:: On World Hepatitis Day, WHO called for urgent, science-based action and renewed its support for Pakistan’s efforts to eliminate hepatitis as a public health problem by 2030. Hepatitis affects an estimated 12.9 million people in Pakistan, including 9 million with hepatitis C and 3.8 million with hepatitis B, with over 48,000 deaths annually—one every 11 minutes.
Pakistan bears the world’s heaviest hepatitis C burden, holding 9 million of 47 million global cases, though only 3 in 10 affected people know their status. The high burden stems largely from historical healthcare-associated transmission, including needle reuse and unsafe blood transfusions. Over 88,000 new hepatitis C infections were recorded in 2024 alone.
Under the theme “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down,” WHO reaffirmed support for Pakistan’s initiatives, including the Prime Minister’s National Programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C Infection. WHO Representative Dr. Luo Dapeng pledged continued partnership to accelerate research, integrate hepatitis services into universal health coverage, enhance prevention including vaccination, and ensure equitable testing and treatment access.
Common transmission routes in Pakistan include unregulated blood banks, reused syringes, unsafe surgical and dental procedures, and unsterile practices at barbershops and tattoo parlors. Globally, hepatitis B and C caused 1.34 million deaths in 2024, with over 4,900 new infections daily.
WHO emphasized continued support for newborn hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours of birth, alongside strengthened diagnosis and treatment access nationwide.
