Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal urged citizens to avail themselves of free Hepatitis C screening facilities and encourage others to do the same to help combat the deadly disease.
Health Minister urges public to avail free Hepatitis C screening, support awareness efforts
ISLAMABAD, Jun 04 (APP):Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal urged citizens to avail themselves of free Hepatitis C screening facilities and encourage others to do the same to help combat the deadly disease.
“It is the responsibility of every citizen to get tested and motivate others to undergo screening as well,” the minister said while chairing a meeting on the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis C Programme. The meeting was attended by the Federal Health Secretary, Additional Health Secretary, heads of federal hospitals and other officials.
During the meeting, the programme director briefed participants on the progress of Hepatitis C screening activities in Islamabad.
Addressing the participants, the minister said the eradication of Hepatitis C was a national objective and that the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis C Programme held significant importance in achieving this goal.
He noted that more than 10 million people in Pakistan were living with Hepatitis C and directed the heads of all institutions to ensure effective measures for eliminating the disease.
“The coordinated role of all institutions is indispensable in the fight against Hepatitis C,” he said, adding that the initiative was not merely a programme but a national campaign aimed at securing the country’s future.
Mustafa Kamal also stressed the need to intensify public awareness campaigns to encourage maximum participation in screening activities.
He said timely identification and treatment of Hepatitis C patients could significantly help prevent further spread of the disease.
The minister directed authorities to make the screening process faster and more accessible so that a larger number of people could benefit from the facility.
He further emphasized the importance of ensuring timely treatment for individuals who test positive for the disease.
The minister appealed to the public to get their free Hepatitis C tests conducted at the 15 designated health facilities operating in Islamabad.
