RAWALPINDI, Jul 28 (APP):Over 56,880 individuals have been screened for Hepatitis B and C under the Localised Hepatitis Elimination And Prevention Programme (LHEAP) across various Union Councils (UCs) in Rawalpindi, programme officials revealed on Tuesday. According to the data compiled from December 2023 to July 2026, LHEAP workers visited 11,686 households as part of a targeted door-to-door screening and vaccination campaign. Out of 56,884 individuals tested, 2,773 tested positive for …
Over 30,000 vaccinated in Rawalpindi under hepatitis elimination programme
RAWALPINDI, Jul 28 (APP):Over 56,880 individuals have been screened for Hepatitis B and C under the Localised Hepatitis Elimination And Prevention Programme (LHEAP) across various Union Councils (UCs) in Rawalpindi, programme officials revealed on Tuesday.
According to the data compiled from December 2023 to July 2026, LHEAP workers visited 11,686 households as part of a targeted door-to-door screening and vaccination campaign. Out of 56,884 individuals tested, 2,773 tested positive for viral hepatitis, including 516 Hepatitis B cases, 2,200 Hepatitis C cases and 57 co-infections whereas eight pregnant women were diagnosed with Hepatitis B or C.
Treatment has already been initiated for 813 patients, comprising 711 Hepatitis C cases, 100 Hepatitis B cases, and two co-infected cases.
Talking to APP on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, observed globally on July 28, Dr. Ansar emphasized that the day serves to raise public awareness regarding early diagnosis, treatment, and global solidarity toward eliminating viral hepatitis. Highlighting global themes such as “Let’s Break It Down,” “One Life, One Liver,” “Hepatitis Can’t Wait,” and “Test and Treat,” he stressed the importance of dismantling healthcare barriers, tackling social stigma, and expanding testing access.
Dr. Ansar noted that Pakistan currently reports one of the world’s highest Hepatitis C prevalence rates, affecting approximately 9.6% to 11.6% of the population. He warned that viral hepatitis is a silent killer, with many patients discovering the disease only after it has progressed and severely compromised organ function.
He informed that 30,842 individuals received Hepatitis B vaccinations, including 22,829 first doses, 7,819 second doses and 194 third doses during the prescribed time duration. The field drive encompasses major localities across the district, including Satellite Town, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Dhok Hassu, Fauji Colony, Pirwadhai, Waris Khan, Bani Chowk, Miyana Jabbar, Taxila, and Dhama Syedan.
While treatment costs remain prohibitive for underprivileged patients, he acknowledged that government facilities at Tehsil Headquarter (THQ) hospitals and allied tertiary centers provide free care, though coverage challenges persist. To bridge this gap, “LHEAP launched its community-driven, door-to-door screening and treatment programme in December 2023 with philanthropic support, bringing free diagnostic and therapeutic care directly to citizens’ homes”, he said.
Dr. Ansar called upon all stakeholders to join hands to eliminate hepatitis from the region.
