ISLAMABAD:Free hepatitis C screening facilities have been established in Gilgit district under the Prime Minister’s National Programme for Elimination of Hepatitis, expanding access to early diagnosis and free treatment for residents of the region.
According to the Ministry of National Health Services, screening facilities have been made available at the Deputy Commissioner and Additional Deputy Commissioner offices in Gilgit, as well as the offices of assistant commissioners in all three sub-divisions of the district.
The ministry has urged residents to visit their respective Assistant Commissioner offices to avail themselves of the free screening facility and benefit from the national programme.
Under the federal government’s initiative, free screening, diagnostic testing and treatment facilities are being provided to eligible patients to strengthen efforts for the elimination of hepatitis C.
The programme provides free initial screening tests, followed by PCR testing for individuals requiring further diagnosis.
The government also covers the cost of treatment and medicines, which can otherwise impose a significant financial burden on patients, particularly those from low-income families.
The initiative is part of a broader national strategy to identify undiagnosed patients through mass screening, ensure timely treatment and prevent further transmission of the disease.
Initially launched in Islamabad, the programme is now being expanded to Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with plans for wider nationwide coverage.
The programme aims to improve access to free hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment, reduce the disease burden and move towards its elimination through early detection and comprehensive healthcare support.