Pakistan Considers Mandatory Hepatitis C Test Before Foreign Travel

Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal recently announced the nationwide expansion of Hepatitis C screening as part of the Prime Minister's Program for Disease Prevention. During the inauguration of screening for Ministry of Health officials, Kamal stated that screening has become mandatory for all ministry employees. He also mentioned that efforts are underway to make screening mandatory for employees of all federal ministries.

The government has established 17 screening points in Islamabad, and private hospitals will be provided with screening kits and digital devices. The program is set to expand across the country, prioritizing individuals aged over 12. According to Kamal, approximately 11 million people in Pakistan are currently Hepatitis C positive, and he warned that the disease could lead to liver cancer if not diagnosed and treated promptly.

The government will provide the necessary medicines worth around Rs. 68,000 free of charge to patients under the Prime Minister's program.

Kamal urged citizens to take advantage of the free screening and treatment facilities. He mentioned that authorities will also screen people in Gilgit Baltistan and Islamabad, while deportees returning to Pakistan will undergo screening. Furthermore, the government intends to screen all flights for three months. Kamal hinted at the possibility of making Hepatitis C screening mandatory before international travel by linking it with CNICs.