Pakistan has strengthened its nationwide hepatitis control programs in 2026 as part of a broader plan to eradicate Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) by 2030. The Hepatitis C burden on the country remains very high, with the number of people who are believed to be actively infected with Hepatitis C remaining extremely high.
The new national programme is all about massive screening, better access to treatment, online patient tracking and more stringent infection prevention measures. There is a growing coordination between the federal and provincial governments to enhance the overall response of Pakistan towards the public healthcare provisions.
Mandatory Screening Introduced in Public Hospitals
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered that hepatitis and HIV are to be screened (compulsory) among patients who are admitted to government hospitals in Pakistan.
The purpose of the decision is to increase the rate of early diagnosis and decrease the amount of undiagnosed long-term infections. Officials feel that mass screening should be done to identify the so-called missing millions of patients affected with hepatitis, but are oblivious to their condition.
New Diagnostic Centres Expand Free Testing Access
One more expansion of the hepatitis diagnostic free testing infrastructure in Pakistan has been achieved through the new hepatitis diagnostic facilities.
The initial stage came up with 21 Hepatitis C diagnosis counters in various locations, such as:
- 12 centres in Islamabad
- 6 centres in Gilgit-Baltistan
- 3 centres in Azad Jammu and Kashmir
These centres are to deliver free testing opportunities and boost healthcare accessibility within underserved regions.
The strengthening of the sphere indicates the increasingly significant attention that Pakistan has devoted to preventive healthcare and the timely prevention of diseases.
National Hepatitis Elimination Programme Gains Momentum
Pakistan also re-launched its National Hepatitis Elimination Programme of 20242030 with an estimated budget of PKR 68.25 billion to be shared between federal and provincial governments.
Phase-Wise Population Screening
The programme is aimed at screening the entire population on two occasions:
- Phase 1 will target 50 per cent of the population above 12 years by the end of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026
- Phase 2 will continue from 2026 to 2030 to cover the remaining eligible population
The scope of this massive undertaking will be to establish one of the most widespread hepatitis detection and management systems in South Asia.
Digital Integration With NADRA
Governments are linking electronic medical records with systems made by the National Database and Registration Authority to create a national hepatitis registry.
The digital system is likely to enhance the tracking of patients, monitoring treatment, and planning healthcare in Pakistan.
Free Hepatitis Treatment Expands Across Pakistan
The free antiviral Hepatitis C drug treatment is still a resounding success in Pakistan, with success rates of between 95 percent and 96 percent.
The officials are also increasing the number of Hepatitis B treatment facilities in district-level hospitals to enhance healthcare coverage in the region.
Auto-Disable Syringes Become Mandatory Nationwide
The most significant preventive measures in Pakistan include a nationwide prohibition of conventional syringes and a compulsory switch to auto-disable (AD) syringes.
Historically, hepatitis was spread through unsafe injection techniques and the re-use of needles in Pakistan. The new policy will considerably minimise such risks by increasing the regulation of healthcare.
The authorities are also putting extra control measures over the private clinics, dental practices and blood transfusion facilities to enhance the quality of infection control.
Hepatitis B Vaccination Policies Receive Stronger Focus
In their new health strategy, Pakistan has adopted more stress on vaccination programmes for the Hepatitis B virus.
The policy promotes:
- Vaccination of newborns through the birth dose
- Older children: catch-up vaccinations.
- Immunisation against persons at risk
The government is also forging local vaccine manufacturing in order to reduce reliance on imports and to enhance long-term access.
Challenges Still Exist Despite Positive Progress
Irrespective of the major improvements, medical professionals are still pointing out that the challenges in their operations are numerous.
Provincial Coordination
Making sure that healthcare implementation in all provinces is a standardised process is challenging because of the different administrative systems and regional capacities.
Funding Sustainability
Long-term funding is also necessary to meet the target level of elimination (2030) set by the country. There is also an increasing trend in exploring the concept of implementing something based on the government initiatives, and even implementing such a partnership through the need to have medical institutions and practitioners participating in the partnership.
Rural Healthcare Access
In rural areas, rural communities still experience testing infrastructure gaps, specialist access, and continuity of treatment, especially in remote areas.
Public Awareness and Preventive Healthcare Remain Essential
Health authorities are still advising citizens who have a history of dental practice, blood transfusion, injections, or major hospitalisations to get free screening for hepatitis disease in the public health facilities.
