ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has mandated the expedited implementation of the “Prime Minister’s Hepatitis Control Program,” emphasizing the need for comprehensive screening of all patients in government hospitals to effectively combat diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS. Chairing a review meeting concerning the Ministry of National Health Services, he underscored the importance of timely diagnosis for the eradication of these diseases.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry to collaborate with provincial governments to establish an integrated system for reporting hepatitis, AIDS, and other diseases. In addition, he directed the use of auto-disable syringes nationwide to prevent the reuse of syringes, which is crucial in curbing the spread of viral illnesses. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and other relevant institutions were tasked with ensuring compliance with these directives.

Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the government’s priority to provide the best possible healthcare services to Pakistani citizens, emphasizing the commitment to overcome obstacles and make sacrifices to save lives. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to eradicate polio, highlighting recent efforts and progress in this area.

The meeting also reviewed the establishment of 98 Anti-Retroviral Therapy centers across major hospitals for AIDS treatment, with plans to expand to 164 centers within a year. AIDS screening facilities have been initiated at international airports for returning illegal immigrants. The pilot phase of the National Hepatitis C Elimination Program is set to launch soon in Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Encouraging trends were noted in the declining presence of the poliovirus, with a 98 percent coverage achieved in the recent anti-polio campaign.