Pakistan has reportedly become the country with the highest number of hepatitis C infections worldwide, with approximately 12.9 million people affected. According to a report presented in the National Assembly citing World Health Organization (WHO) figures, hepatitis-related complications are placing thousands of lives at risk. The government has launched emergency measures, including free screening and treatment, to control the spread of the disease.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is facing a serious public health challenge as the number of people affected by hepatitis C has reportedly reached 12.9 million, raising concerns about the country’s healthcare system and the growing burden of liver-related diseases.
According to a report presented in the National Assembly on November 7, 2026, Pakistan has the highest reported number of hepatitis C patients in the world. The report cited data attributed to the World Health Organization and highlighted the urgent need for nationwide prevention, screening, and treatment programs.
The increasing number of infections has become a major concern for health authorities, particularly because hepatitis C can remain undetected for years before causing serious liver damage.
Dr. Zia, head of the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis Elimination Program, expressed concern over the situation and stated that Pakistan currently ranks first globally in terms of hepatitis C cases.
He also claimed that one person dies approximately every 20 minutes due to complications associated with hepatitis.
These figures underline the seriousness of the disease and the importance of early diagnosis and timely medical treatment.
The report further stated that approximately 20,000 people in Pakistan develop serious complications, including liver cancer and liver cirrhosis, every year as a result of hepatitis-related illnesses.
Hepatitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the liver. Several types of hepatitis exist, but hepatitis B and hepatitis C are among the most significant causes of chronic liver disease.
Hepatitis C is caused by a virus that primarily spreads through contact with infected blood.
One of the biggest challenges associated with hepatitis C is that many infected individuals do not experience noticeable symptoms during the early stages.
As a result, people may remain unaware of their infection for several years.
Without appropriate treatment, chronic hepatitis C can gradually damage the liver and may eventually lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.
However, hepatitis C is treatable, and modern antiviral medicines can cure more than 95 percent of infections in many patient groups.
Health experts emphasize that early testing and access to effective treatment can prevent serious complications and reduce deaths.
The spread of hepatitis C in Pakistan has been linked to several unsafe medical practices.
According to medical experts, the reuse of contaminated syringes, improperly sterilized surgical instruments, unsafe blood transfusions, and inadequate infection-control procedures contribute significantly to the transmission of the virus.
Unqualified medical practitioners and healthcare facilities that fail to follow proper sterilization procedures can also increase the risk of infection.
Dental procedures performed with contaminated instruments and the use of previously used needles are additional concerns.
Medical professionals stress that healthcare providers must follow strict infection-prevention measures to protect patients.
People are also advised to avoid unnecessary injections and ensure that new, sterile needles and properly cleaned medical equipment are used during treatment.
Importantly, hepatitis C does not spread through ordinary social contact, including shaking hands, hugging, sharing meals, or sitting near an infected person.
Public awareness is therefore essential not only for preventing transmission but also for reducing the stigma faced by patients.
In response to the growing health crisis, the federal government has initiated measures under the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis Elimination Program.
As part of the initiative, free hepatitis screening is being offered to residents of Islamabad.
Individuals who test positive during initial screening are being provided with further diagnostic services and treatment without charge, according to the program’s officials.
The government is also working to expand these services to other areas of the country so that more people can receive timely medical attention.
Health authorities believe that large-scale screening is particularly important because many people with hepatitis C remain unaware that they are infected.
An initial hepatitis C antibody test can identify people who have been exposed to the virus.
However, a positive antibody test does not necessarily mean that a person currently has an active infection.
Further testing, usually through an HCV RNA test, is required to confirm whether the virus is present in the blood.
Once an active infection is confirmed, doctors can recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Modern hepatitis C treatment commonly involves oral antiviral medicines taken for approximately 8 to 12 weeks, although the duration may vary depending on the patient’s medical condition.
These treatments have significantly improved recovery rates and reduced the risk of long-term liver complications.
Unlike hepatitis B, for which vaccination is available, there is currently no approved vaccine for hepatitis C.
This makes safe medical practices, screening, and timely treatment especially important in controlling the disease.
The Pakistani government has set a target of eliminating hepatitis as a major public health threat by 2030, in line with international disease-elimination goals.
Achieving this target will require coordinated efforts involving federal and provincial health authorities, hospitals, laboratories, medical professionals, and local communities.
Experts believe that expanding access to affordable treatment and improving infection-control practices are essential steps toward reducing the number of new infections.
Public awareness campaigns can also help people understand how hepatitis spreads and why early testing is necessary.
The government will need to ensure that screening and treatment facilities are accessible not only in major cities but also in rural and underserved areas.
Strengthening the regulation of healthcare facilities and discouraging unsafe medical practices will be equally important.
The reported figure of 12.9 million affected people highlights the scale of Pakistan’s hepatitis C challenge.
The disease creates a substantial burden on patients, families, and healthcare institutions, particularly when infections are detected at advanced stages.
For many families, the costs associated with medical tests, treatment, and complications can create additional financial pressure.
Free screening and treatment programs could therefore play an important role in improving access to healthcare.
However, the long-term success of these initiatives will depend on their reach, consistency, and effectiveness.
Health experts continue to stress that hepatitis C should not be ignored simply because symptoms are absent.
People who may have been exposed to infected blood, unsafe injections, or improperly sterilized medical instruments should seek medical advice about testing.
Early detection can allow patients to receive treatment before serious liver damage develops.
Pakistan’s reported hepatitis C figures have raised an important question about whether the country can achieve its 2030 elimination target.
Although the government has begun expanding screening and treatment services, controlling the disease will require sustained investment, effective public health policies, and stronger infection-prevention standards.
For now, the National Assembly report has brought renewed attention to the seriousness of hepatitis C in Pakistan.
With millions reportedly affected and thousands facing potentially life-threatening complications, health authorities are under increasing pressure to strengthen prevention and treatment efforts.
The success of Pakistan’s hepatitis elimination strategy will depend on identifying infections early, ensuring access to effective medicines, and preventing new cases through safer healthcare practices.