“Poverty, lack of education, financial constraints and limited access to healthcare contribute to the spread of hepatitis”
RAWALPINDI:
A total of 2,638 residents of 13 union councils in Rawalpindi district have been confirmed to be suffering from hepatitis, a life-threatening disease. More than 54,000 people were tested under the donation-based Hepatitis Prevention and Localized Elimination Program, which provides free diagnostics and medications.
Between July 10, 2023 and November 5, 2025, program teams visited 11,320 homes and tested 54,569 people for hepatitis. Among them, 490 tested positive for Hepatitis B and 2,080 for Hepatitis C.
A total of 68 people were infected with both B and C, including eight pregnant women. In total, 2,638 people tested positive. For hepatitis C, 13,413 patients received the first dose of the medication, 7,819 received the second dose, and 194 received the third dose. For hepatitis B, 21,426 patients were vaccinated.
Executive director of the programme, Dr Ansar Ishaq, said patients receive free diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Muhammad Iqbal provides ultrasound services, specialist doctor Dr. Arshad Satti offers check-ups and Bio Path Lab conducts free tests. Medicines and vaccines are funded by donations from philanthropists. Dr Ishaq added that poverty, lack of health awareness and education, financial constraints and limited access to healthcare have contributed to the rapid spread of hepatitis.
