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12.9 million people are living with hepatitis in Pakistan: WHO

ISLAMABAD:On the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) called on all stakeholders to take urgent science-based action and renewed its support for Pakistan’s efforts to advance towards the goal of ending hepatitis as a public health problem by 2030.

According to WHO, hepatitis is a deadly disease that affects an estimated 12.9 million people in Pakistan, including 9 million with hepatitis C and 3.8 million with hepatitis B.

Every year, more than 48,000 people die in Pakistan due to hepatitis infections that are preventable and curable. This equals one death every 11 minutes.

With 9 million of the 47 million estimated cases worldwide, Pakistan bears the heaviest burden of hepatitis C globally. Only 3 out of 10 people affected know it, which prevents millions from receiving life-saving treatment.

The high burden is largely the result of historical health care-associated transmission, particularly the widespread reuse of needles for injections and unsafe blood transfusions.

In 2024, over 88,000 people were infected with hepatitis C across the country.

Under the international theme “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down”, WHO reiterated its full support for Pakistan’s efforts to fight the disease, including the Prime Minister’s National Programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C Infection.

“WHO will continue to partner with Pakistan to promote medical science to protect and save lives and adapt the best practices and lessons learned from around the world to the national context.”

“WHO stands with Pakistan to accelerate research and innovation, integrate hepatitis services into universal health coverage, enhance prevention – including vaccination – and ensure equitable access to quality hepatitis testing and treatment for every family, regardless of social or economic status,” said WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng.

Hepatitis B and C are preventable and treatable. However, if left untreated, they can lead to medical complications – including liver cancer – and death.

In Pakistan, the most common modes of transmission include unsafe procedures and materials used in blood transfusions – resulting from unregulated private blood banks and a lack of universal screening, injections with re-used, non-sterile syringes and needles, surgical procedures, dental care, body piercing and tattooing, and shaving – including at barber shops.

According to the WHO Global Hepatitis Report 2026, viral hepatitis B and C – the two infections responsible for 95% of hepatitis-related deaths worldwide – claimed 1.34 million lives in 2024.

At the same time, transmission continues, with more than 4,900 new infections every day.

WHO will continue to partner with Pakistan to provide science-based guidance and support to strengthen prevention – including the vaccination of newborns against hepatitis B within 24 hours of birth – and diagnosis and treatment for all, no matter where they live or who they are.

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Health minister orders probe into Sindh MDCAT complaints

ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has taken notice of alleged irregularities in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) held in Sindh and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the complaints.

According to official sources, the minister directed a five-member committee, including the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), to conduct a transparent investigation and submit its report within 15 days.

The committee has been tasked with examining the complaints and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities during the examination, sources said.

The minister directed the committee to complete the inquiry within the stipulated timeframe and present its findings for further action in accordance with the applicable rules.

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CDA chairman directs faster work on Expressway East project

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sohail Ashraf has directed officials to accelerate work on the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East project while ensuring strict compliance with approved designs and construction standards.

During an inspection of the project on Saturday, the chairman reviewed progress and was briefed on ongoing works and the next phase of development.

He directed the project director and relevant departments to maintain continuous field monitoring and quality control and ensure effective traffic management to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

The chairman described the Expressway East project as an important infrastructure scheme for improving connectivity, traffic flow and road capacity in the capital. He also stressed that construction quality should not be compromised in efforts to meet the project timeline.

During the visit, he was also briefed on an ongoing enforcement operation against unauthorised and illegal construction along the Islamabad Expressway.

According to the CDA, 377 buildings have been identified for action, including 281 commercial structures. So far, 58 buildings have been sealed, while 124 buildings between Sohan and Khanna bridges have been marked for demolition.

The authority said Rs234.685 million had been recovered through land-use conversion, unauthorised construction and de-sealing charges. Around Rs3 billion remained recoverable under applicable regulations in connection with land-use conversion and violations relating to unauthorised construction, setbacks, floor area ratio and covered area.

The chairman directed the relevant departments to ensure strict enforcement of building-control and land-use regulations, particularly mandatory fire-safety requirements.

The enforcement operation is being conducted by the CDA’s Building Control Section and Enforcement Directorate in coordination with the district administration and Islamabad police.

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GB ministers call on Governor Kundi

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday held a meeting with a delegation of Gilgit-Baltistan ministers at the Governor’s House here and discussed the country’s political situation and other matters of mutual interest.

The delegation comprised Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Zulfiqar Ali Murad, Minister for Health Iqbal Hassan and Minister for Education Aman Ali Ameer.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the prevailing political situation in the country and various issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s success in the polls.

The visiting ministers were taken on a tour of the Governor’s House. Governor Kundi presented them with traditional shawls and caps.