Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal on Monday chaired a review meeting in Islamabad to assess progress on an ongoing pilot project aimed at the elimination of Hepatitis C, officials said. The meeting was attended by the Federal Health Secretary, heads of major hospitals, and the District Health Officer (DHO) Islamabad. Participants reviewed the status of screening activities under the pilot programme and discussed operational challenges affecting implementation.
Current Screening Efforts
Officials briefed the minister on current testing efforts and outreach activities designed to identify undiagnosed cases across targeted populations in the capital. According to a Ministry of Health spokesperson, Pakistan continues to face a high burden of Hepatitis C, making early detection and treatment a key public health priority.
Minister's Directives
Minister Kamal directed health authorities to expand screening coverage and strengthen coordination between healthcare facilities to improve case detection and follow-up treatment. He also called for enhanced public awareness efforts to encourage greater uptake of free testing services available at government health centres.
The minister said the success of the elimination initiative depended on timely diagnosis and consistent treatment, instructing hospital administrations to ensure that patients who test positive are promptly linked to care. He further underscored the importance of preventive measures, urging health officials to prioritise reducing new infections through improved awareness and early intervention strategies.
Broader Context
Officials said the pilot project would continue to be monitored closely as part of broader efforts to strengthen infectious disease control and improve public health outcomes in Islamabad. The meeting concluded with a commitment to accelerate progress towards Hepatitis C elimination in the capital.
