ISLAMABAD: While World Hepatitis Day is being observed today (Tuesday), Pakistan ranked fifth in the world for total viral hepatitis burden behind only China, India, Indonesia and Nigeria, says Pakistan Medical Association (PMA).

Secretary General PMA Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro said Pakistan carries the heaviest burden of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), accounting for 10 million chronic cases. When combined with an estimated 3.8 million people living with Hepatitis B (HBV), a staggering 13.8 million Pakistanis live with chronic viral infection ranking Pakistan fifth in the world for total viral hepatitis burden behind only China, India, Indonesia and Nigeria.

The national prevalence rate for Hepatitis C ranged between 4.8pc and 7.5pc, while Hepatitis B affected 1.1pc to 1.7pc of the population. Complications such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) claim over 37,000 Pakistani lives annually.

“WHO data highlights that Pakistan accounts for nearly 44pc of all new global Hepatitis C infections caused by unsafe medical injections. Each year, roughly 110,000 new infections occur in the country 62pc due to unsafe medical procedures (including unscreened blood transfusions) and 38pc due to injection drug use,” he said.

“In Pakistan transmission is predominantly spread through re-use of non-sterile syringes, medical equipment, and intravenous drips, unscreened or improperly screened blood transfusions, unsanitary practices during surgical care, dental procedures, body/ear piercing, tattooing, and shaving with non-sterilized razors at barber shops, and quackery (unlicensed practitioners) and low coverage of the mandatory Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine given within 24 hours of delivery,” Dr Shoro said.

President Asif Zardari, in connection with the day, stated that day served as a reminder that while Hepatitis remained one of the most significant public health challenge facing the nation, yet it was preventable and can be cured through early detection, early treatment, collective commitment and sustained action.

“Pakistan bears one of the highest Hepatitis C burdens in the world, affecting millions of individuals and placing a considerable strain on our healthcare system, economy and society. The challenge before us is immense, but so is our determination to overcome it. To stem this tide, we must confront the primary drivers of this epidemic in our society including the use of unsterilised medical equipment, the unsafe reuse of syringes, unscreened blood transfusions and unsanitary practices in barbershops and beauty salons. The key to overcoming this crisis is a robust, two-pronged strategy of strict regulation and enforcement to eliminate unsafe healthcare and commercial practices, combined with mass public awareness campaigns to empower citizens with the knowledge to protect themselves and their families,” he said.

Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that if hepatitis was left undiagnosed or inadequately treated, it can pose a grave threat to human life. He said that ensuring effective prevention, early diagnosis, access to quality treatment, and raising public awareness were among the government’s foremost public health priorities.

He reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to strengthening the country’s public health system, preventing diseases, promoting preventive healthcare, and enacting effective legislation to ensure the provision of quality healthcare services to the people.

In his message, Deputy Speaker National Assembly Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah said that public awareness, early diagnosis, and equitable access to treatment were essential for preventing hepatitis.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2026