AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have called for raising public awareness and promoting collective action to combat Hepatitis.
According to Radio Pakistan, in their separate messages on World Hepatitis Day on Monday, they emphasized addressing hepatitis through an integrated and coordinated national response. President Asif Ali Zardari highlighted that viral hepatitis continues to pose a public health challenge, with millions silently suffering due to late diagnosis, lack of awareness, and inadequate healthcare services.
He stated the need for comprehensive strategies that combine mass awareness campaigns, effective vaccination drives, timely screening, and access to treatment. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his statement, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending hepatitis and protecting public health.
He mentioned that the government is making concerted efforts to curb this epidemic and has launched the Prime Minister’s National Programme for the elimination of Hepatitis C. The program aims to screen over 165 million people by 2030 and provide free treatment to all positive cases.