Islamabad,(Parliament Times):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed authorities to implement comprehensive screening of patients in public hospitals as part of intensified efforts to eliminate hepatitis and HIV across Pakistan. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring quality healthcare services for all citizens.
The directive was issued during a high-level review meeting on the affairs of the Ministry of National Health Services. The prime minister emphasized that safeguarding human life remains a top priority, stating that the government is ready to take every possible step to save even a single life.
He instructed the health ministry to develop an integrated disease reporting system in coordination with provincial governments for timely identification of hepatitis, AIDS, and other illnesses. He noted that early detection is crucial for effective eradication.
The premier also called for the swift implementation of the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis Control Programme nationwide, focusing on expanded screening, testing, and treatment. To prevent the spread of infections, he ordered mandatory use of auto-disable syringes and directed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan to strictly enforce a ban on syringe reuse.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to public health, the prime minister reiterated the goal of completely eradicating polio from the country.
During the meeting, officials briefed participants on ongoing efforts against major diseases. They reported that 98 anti-retroviral therapy centres have been established in major hospitals to treat AIDS patients, with plans to expand this number to 164 within the next year.
Authorities also informed that AIDS screening facilities have been set up at international airports to monitor returning undocumented migrants. Additionally, a pilot phase of the national Hepatitis C elimination programme will soon be launched in Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
On polio, officials highlighted encouraging progress, noting a gradual decline in the virus detected in environmental samples. The latest vaccination campaign achieved 98% coverage.
The meeting was attended by key cabinet members, including Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Mustafa Kamal, Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, and Ayesha Raza Farooq, along with senior officials.
The developments follow recent remarks by Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, who revealed that Pakistan has around 84,000 registered HIV/AIDS cases. Of these, approximately 61,000 patients are receiving treatment, while nearly 23,000 remain untraceable. He warned that untreated individuals could significantly contribute to further spread of the disease.