The Local Hepatitis Elimination and Prevention Programme (LHEAP) and Gulf Care Hospital (GCH) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement provides free treatment for those suffering from Hepatitis B and C.
The MoU allows access to free surgeries, ultrasounds, medications, and specialist consultations for hepatitis patients. It also covers essential laboratory tests and blood screenings at no cost.
In Rawalpindi, Hepatitis B and C are prevalent across all union councils, where treatment costs are prohibitively high for middle and lower-income groups. This financial barrier increases their mortality risk.
From July to December, LHEAP teams visited 10,347 homes and conducted blood screenings for 47,631 individuals. They identified 377 cases of Hepatitis B, 1,671 of Hepatitis C, and 38 cases of both. This screening included eight pregnant women diagnosed with both Hepatitis B and C, totalling 2,086 positive cases.
Vaccination efforts also occurred: 13,413 people received their first dose, 7,819 second, and 194 third. Additionally, 21,426 individuals received the Hepatitis B vaccine.
In Union Council 8, the area with the highest hepatitis rate in Rawalpindi, teams visited 2,540 homes and screened 9,576 people. They found 89 cases of Hepatitis B, 340 of Hepatitis C, and eight of both. The total number of positive cases was 437, including one pregnant woman. Furthermore, 651 individuals received their first medication dose, 31 their second, and 682 were vaccinated against Hepatitis B.
Dr. Ansar Ishaq, CEO of LHEAP, stated that the program has two main goals. First, it runs an awareness campaign to educate citizens about hepatitis prevention. Second, following the MoU with Gulf Care Hospital, it provides afflicted individuals with comprehensive facilities including all necessary tests, hospital admission, medications, and specialist consultations.
