ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The federal government has made the decision to impose hepatitis screening on all employees in ministries and other departments in Islamabad.
The Ministry of National Health Services stated that the screening will be under the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis Programme as an effort to detect hepatitis early and treat patients. In case of a positive result during the screening, employees will be entitled to free PCR testing.
The patients identified with hepatitis will also be given medicine for free under the programme. The federal government has invested Rs67 billion for the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis Programme, while free hepatitis screening is in practice in different places of Islamabad.
Over 50,000 hepatitis screening kits have been procured, while PCR testing kits are already being installed at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Earlier, a significant pilot project for the elimination of the Hepatitis C virus was inaugurated in Muzaffarabad, through the mutual collaboration of the Health Department of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, ‘Help in Need’ Organization, and the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
High-ranking government and medical officials, health experts, civil society, and media representatives actively participated in this inaugural ceremony.
The chief guest of the ceremony was Secretary Public Health Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Brigadier Aamir Raza Teepu. Director General Health Services, District Health Officers, renowned doctors, CEO of ‘Help in Need’ Organization Muhammad Hamid Khan, Haseeb Iqbal, Program Manager ‘Help in Need’, Atiq-ur-Rehman, Coordinator Azad Kashmir, Dr. Abdul Rauf from the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Chairperson Department of Zoology Professor Dr. Nuzhat Shafi, along with individuals from various walks of life attended he gathering.
Hepatitis C a silent killer
The speakers, in their addresses, stated that Hepatitis C is a silent killer, and its timely diagnosis and treatment can not only save the patient’s life but also prove effective in preventing the spread of the disease.
They emphasized the urgent need to effectively convey this project to the public through media and raise awareness.
Under the project, approximately 6,000 individuals will undergo blood screening, and those who test positive will be provided with free treatment and medical consultation.
The objective of this project is not limited to diagnosis and treatment but also includes promoting preventive measures, awareness campaigns, and a healthy lifestyle at the public level.
Muhammad Hamid Khan, CEO of ‘Help in Need’, speaking on the occasion, said that this project is a revolutionary step in the health sector of Azad Kashmir, which will not only lead to the elimination of Hepatitis C in the region but can also be adopted as a model for other areas in the future.
He thanked all partner organizations, stating that such joint initiatives are the source of real change.
In the concluding remarks, hope was expressed that this project would prove to be a significant advancement towards improving the health system, eliminating diseases, and promoting public welfare in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
