Islamabad, September 25, 2023 (PPI-OT): “Pakistan remains steadfast in its dedication to addressing the challenge of hepatitis and achieving the World Health Organization’s global elimination targets by 2030,” said Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States. “Our priorities include updating the National Strategic Framework, improving surveillance, expanding hepatitis B birth dose vaccination, increasing HCV testing and treatment, and engaging community-based organizations,” he said. “These steps will bring us closer to eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030,” he added. Ambassador Masood Khan made these remarks while representing Pakistan at the Second Meeting of the United Nations Group of Friends to Eliminate Hepatitis at the Yale Club in New York.

He thanked the United Nations Group of Friends to Eliminate Hepatitis for convening the session, adding that objectives of the Group of Friends aligned perfectly with the overarching theme of UNGA 78, focusing on rebuilding trust and rekindling global solidarity to accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. The agenda, he said, aimed at peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all. The meeting was attended by Health Minister for Egypt Dr. Khaled AbdelGhaffar, Health Advisor to the President of Ghana Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, Minister of Health Somalia Dr. Ali Haji Adam, Minister of Health of Portuguese Republic Manuel Pizarro, Minister of Health Uganda Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, global health experts, ministers, WHO officials, several ambassadors and representatives of the member states. Dr Harvey Alter who won the Nobel prize in medicine for discovering Hepatitis C Virus was also present. According to estimates, around 12 million people in Pakistan were affected from Hepatitis B and C, with 150,000 new cases reported every year. These multifaceted challenges stemmed from unsafe blood transfusions, unhygienic dental treatments and reused syringes.

Appreciating Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination for launch of National Hepatitis Elimination Profile (N-HEP) Initiative in 2022, the Ambassador noted that Government of Pakistan had set an ambitious target under the initiative, aiming to screen millions of individuals and treat millions affected by hepatitis by 2030. “However, this program requires adequate funding to become a reality,” he observed. Highlighting that Pakistan’s response to COVID-19 had enhanced its testing capacity, improved electronic health reporting, and strengthened coordination among provinces and the Federal Government, the Ambassador reaffirmed that Pakistan was committed to addressing challenges and moving close to its hepatitis elimination goals. Masood Khan said that Pakistan deeply appreciates pivotal role of international partners, particularly Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) in the fight against hepatitis. “GAVI has contributed expertise and resources, enabling Pakistan to address this challenge effectively,” he noted. Pakistan has also formed partnerships with the corporate sector through Corporate Coalition for Viral Hepatitis Elimination in Pakistan (CCHEP), consisting of 12 leading companies.

These alliances, he said, have strengthen our resolve to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. “Successful HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) micro-elimination programs have been implemented in both the public and private sectors, demonstrating our commitment to results,” he said. Masood Khan said that Pakistan was committed to building strong partnerships, both domestically and internationally, to ensure the success of its hepatitis elimination efforts. “Together, as a global community, we can and must eliminate hepatitis, securing a healthier future for all,” he concluded. The Ambassador also thanked Dr. Nida Ali, Hepatitis Elimination Research and Outreach Fellow, Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination (CGHE), Task Force for Global Health USA, for the invitation.

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