
Hepatitis C spike in Pindi's populated areas
The number of hepatitis patients has begun to rise in the densely populated areas of the city. In six Union Councils (UCs), the number of hepatitis C patients has reached 1,790.
Under the Localised Hepatitis Elimination and Prevention Programme, blood screenings were conducted for 50,568 individuals in Rawalpindi's six UCs (UCs 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, and 15) from July 2023 to April 2025.
Of these, 1,790 were found to be suffering from hepatitis C, 414 from hepatitis B, and 40 were co-infected with both hepatitis B and C. The total number of hepatitis-positive patients is 2,244.
It is important to note that while government hospitals in the city also offer treatment for hepatitis patients, due to certain deficiencies in the system, the general public often turns to the private sector for care.
Under the programme, not only is blood screening provided free of charge, but medications are also offered at no cost. Chief Executive of the Localised Hepatitis Elimination and Prevention Programme, says the programme is funded through donations.

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Express Tribune
17-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Hepatitis C spike in Pindi's populated areas
The number of hepatitis patients has begun to rise in the densely populated areas of the city. In six Union Councils (UCs), the number of hepatitis C patients has reached 1,790. Under the Localised Hepatitis Elimination and Prevention Programme, blood screenings were conducted for 50,568 individuals in Rawalpindi's six UCs (UCs 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, and 15) from July 2023 to April 2025. Of these, 1,790 were found to be suffering from hepatitis C, 414 from hepatitis B, and 40 were co-infected with both hepatitis B and C. The total number of hepatitis-positive patients is 2,244. It is important to note that while government hospitals in the city also offer treatment for hepatitis patients, due to certain deficiencies in the system, the general public often turns to the private sector for care. Under the programme, not only is blood screening provided free of charge, but medications are also offered at no cost. Chief Executive of the Localised Hepatitis Elimination and Prevention Programme, says the programme is funded through donations.


Express Tribune
23-12-2024
- Express Tribune
Pindi residents to get free hepatitis treatment
RAWALPINDI: Local Hepatitis Elimination and Prevention Programme (LHEAP) and Gulf Care Hospital (GCH), a large private hospital, have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide free treatment to people, who are suffering from Hepatitis B and C in large numbers. The MoU aims to provide free facilities for all types of surgeries, ultrasound, medicine, and consultation with consultants to people suffering from hepatitis disease. Necessary laboratory tests through blood screening will also be performed free of cost. Currently, there are a large number of patients with Hepatitis B and C in all union councils (UCs) of Rawalpindi city. The high cost of hepatitis treatment poses a barrier for middle and poor-class people, who often lack the financial resources to get rid of this disease, leading to a higher risk of death. Under LHEAP, teams visited a total of 10,347 houses in all UCs from July 10 to December this year. During this period, blood screening of 47,631 people was conducted, resulting in the diagnosis of 377 people with Hepatitis B and 1,671 people with Hepatitis C. Additionally, 38 people were found to have both Hepatitis B and C and eight pregnant women were diagnosed with both Hepatitis B and C. The total number of Hepatitis positive people was 2,086. As many as 13,413 people suffering from hepatitis were given the first dose of vaccination, 7,819 people received the second dose, and 194 people received the third dose of vaccination. Furthermore, 21,426 people were given the vaccine to prevent Hepatitis B. Field teams visited 2,540 houses in UC 8, which is currently suffering from the highest incidence of hepatitis in Rawalpindi. A blood screening was conducted on 9,576 individuals, 89 people were diagnosed with hepatitis B and 340 with hepatitis C, while eight people were diagnosed with Hepatitis B and C. There are 437 people positive for Hepatitis B and C was 437 and is one pregnant woman with Hepatitis B and C. In this UC, 651 people were given the first dose of medicine, 31 others were given the second dose, and 682 people were administered the Hepatitis B vaccine. Dr Ansar Ishaq, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at LHEAP, says the programme is working on two fronts: firstly, an awareness campaign is being conducted to educate citizens on how to protect themselves from hepatitis, and secondly, following the signing of a MoU with a hospital, people afflicted with the disease will have access the facilities including all necessary laboratory tests, indoor admission, medication, and consultations with specialist doctors.

Express Tribune
08-11-2024
- Express Tribune
Dengue outbreak shows no signs of abating
RAWALPINDI: The dengue fever cases have gone 'unbridled' in the Rawalpindi district despite the official end of the dengue season on October 31, pointing a finger at the so far anti-dengue measures adopted by the district administration and health department to eliminate mosquitos and larvae. The dengue fever season in Rawalpindi, which has emerged as the district with the highest number of dengue cases in Punjab, has been extended by one month. Due to inadequate control strategies, lack of vigilance and the severe shortage of dengue sanitary workers, the situation has worsened. Alarmingly, the district is also witnessing a surge in measles cases. In the past 24 hours, government hospitals have seen an influx of 90 new dengue patients, filling all available beds. Meanwhile, the total number of dengue patients in the district has surged to 5,565, and the count of dengue patients in private hospitals has now surpassed 300. Unfortunately, Rawalpindi remains the top district for dengue cases, with a death toll of 11 and seven patients in critical condition. However, two patients have been contacted with Congo virus. Also, the number of measles cases climbed to 671. According to the health department's data, this year, 5,489 FIRs were registered, 3,385 challans were issued for the presence of dengue larvae and Rs22.1 million in fines were imposed. Field teams sealed 1,834 properties due to non-compliance with anti-dengue regulations. The health department also took disciplinary action against its staff, suspended 12 workers and issued show-cause notices to six others after a third-party survey revealed a large number of dengue larvae in supposedly cleared Union Councils (UCs). Furthermore, four workers were issued notices for unapproved absences. The health department reports that despite the end of the dengue season, the number of dengue patients continues to rise due to the lack of rainfall. The drop in temperature at night hasn't deterred dengue mosquitoes, which are now taking shelter at homes, shopping centres, and under the tracks of metro bus stations. The department recommends spraying mosquito repellents in houses and offices as dengue mosquitoes often hide behind curtains, sofas, furniture and under beds. Mosquito-repellent oil should be applied while sleeping at night, it further recommends. The regions of IJ Principal Road, Pirwadhai, Peshawar Mor and Islamabad Expressway in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have been identified as dengue hot spots. As many as 82 patients are under treatment at Holy Family Hospital (HFH), 40 at Benazir Bhutto General Hospital (BBGH), 26 at Fuji Foundation Hospital and 19 at Teaching Hospital. According to health experts, the number of dengue cases is expected to start declining from November 15, with the outbreak likely to subside by November 30. However, the dengue season and emergency period have concluded annually on October 31. Health officials have appealed to the public to pray for rain in efforts to eradicate dengue fever.