Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has revealed that 10 million people in Pakistan are suffering from Hepatitis C, but 80 percent of patients are unaware of the disease, however, a program worth Rs 67 billion has been launched.

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal announced free screening and treatment at the soft launch ceremony of the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis C Elimination Program and officially launched the program, calling it a historic and revolutionary step for Pakistan’s health sector.

He said that this program worth Rs 67 billion has been launched after a decade of continuous efforts. There are about 60 million hepatitis patients worldwide, of which 10 million are in Pakistan, while 80 percent of people are unaware of their disease.

Mustafa Kamal said that Hepatitis C can cause liver cancer if not treated on time, so caution, timely diagnosis and public awareness are very important.

He said that Pakistan’s health system must be shifted from “sick care” to real “health care” where the focus is on disease prevention.

According to the federal minister, a screening campaign will be launched across the country with the support of NADRA to make it possible to reach as many citizens as possible. In the initial phase, 12 screening counters have been set up in federal hospitals in Islamabad.

He announced that the Hepatitis C screening test, which costs about Rs 7,000 and lasts for three to six months, will be provided free of cost under the complete treatment program.

He said that if Egypt can eliminate Hepatitis C, why not Pakistan? The public should get screened on time to prevent the further spread of this disease.

Mustafa Kamal said that due to the increase in population, there is severe pressure on the country’s hospitals and doctors, where a doctor has to see more than 350 patients per day instead of 30.