Sindh has screened over one million people for Hepatitis C under a groundbreaking public-private partnership that achieved a 96.7 percent cure rate in two high-burden districts, making it one of the most successful hepatitis elimination efforts in Pakistan to date, officials claimed on World Hepatitis Day 2025.
Marking World Hepatitis Day, health authorities and medical experts gathered in Karachi to celebrate the achievements of the Kambar-Keamari Project — a large-scale Hepatitis C elimination initiative launched by the Government of Sindh in collaboration with Nigahban Welfare Association and Roche Diagnostics Pakistan. Initially piloted in one Taluka of Kambar Shahdadkot, the project was expanded to the entire district and Keamari Town in Karachi.
The programme screened over 1,030,000 individuals — nearly 99% of the target population — conducted 20,000 confirmatory tests, and provided free antiviral treatment to more than 7,500 people. In a follow-up study, 96.7 percent of treated patients achieved a sustained virological response, meaning they were cured.
Additionally, no new infections were found among previously negative individuals in post-intervention screenings, and 1,367 healthcare workers were trained to support the campaign. Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho called the project a “model of success” and reiterated the government’s commitment to replicating it in other districts.
“The Government of Sindh remains committed to eliminating Hepatitis C and scaling successful pilots like the Kambar and Keamari Projects. This collaboration shows what can be achieved when government, civil society, and the private sector work hand in hand,” she said.
Speaking earlier at a press conference at the Sindh Assembly, Dr Azra revealed that the highest prevalence of hepatitis in the province is currently in Sanghar. “While 95 percent of patients infected with Hepatitis A and E recover on their own, the Sindh government has developed robust programs for the treatment of Hepatitis B and C,” she stated.
She added that hepatitis patients are also screened for HIV and tuberculosis, and the province is working closely with NGOs to expand reach and improve outcomes. Former caretaker health minister and president of Nigahban, Dr Saad Khalid Niaz, said the project proves that even massive public health challenges can be tackled effectively with coordination and commitment.
“We’ve shown that Hepatitis C can be eliminated from high-prevalence areas through strong partnerships. The results from Kambar and Keamari should serve as a blueprint for a nationwide rollout,” he said.
Dr Saad Khalid Niaz added that Keamari had the highest burden of Hepatitis C in Karachi during their screenings, and testing kits have already been made available at Civil, Jinnah, Abbasi Shaheed, and other government hospitals. He said the department is in constant coordination with the government to ensure an uninterrupted supply of test kits.
Khurram Khalid Ilyas, country manager for Roche Diagnostics Pakistan & Afghanistan, emphasized the importance of reliable diagnostics. “We are proud to support this transformative journey. This project is a testament to what’s possible through public-private partnership,” he said.
Meanwhile, at another event organised by the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) to mark World Hepatitis Day, national and global health experts warned of the growing hepatitis crisis globally and in Pakistan. They revealed that nearly 3,000 people die daily worldwide from hepatitis-related complications, while around 8,000 new cases are reported every day — many of them preventable through timely vaccination, screening, and treatment.
Renowned liver specialist Dr Shahid Majid highlighted the urgency of early detection. “Despite being preventable and manageable, viral hepatitis remains one of the deadliest diseases, causing over one million deaths annually. Low awareness, unsafe medical practices, and lack of access to healthcare are major hurdles, especially in countries like Pakistan,” he said.
Dr Majid explained that Hepatitis B and C are primarily blood-borne and spread through unsafe blood transfusions, reused syringes, contaminated surgical instruments, and shared razors. In contrast, Hepatitis A and E are transmitted through contaminated food and water — often due to poor sanitation.
The PIMA event, hosted by Consultant Physician Dr Munir Sadiq, was attended by Professor Abdullah Muttaqi (President, PIMA Sindh), Dr. Ahmer Hamid (President, PIMA Karachi), and Dr. Zeeshan Hussain Ansari (General Secretary, PIMA Karachi). A free hepatitis screening camp was also organized by Alkhidmat Diagnostic Center during the seminar, where 33 individuals were tested.
Experts warned that if current trends persist, hepatitis-related deaths could surpass the combined global fatalities caused by HIV and malaria by 2040. They urged the public to seek vaccination, avoid unsafe practices, and get tested early.
As Pakistan pushes toward its target of eliminating hepatitis by 2030, experts agree that success depends on scaling models like the Kambar and Keamari project while expanding grassroots awareness and early detection efforts championed by organisations like PIMA.
Published in News Daily on 29 July 2025.