EVERY year on 28 July, the world observes World Hepatitis Day, a global reminder that viral hepatitis remains one of the most serious yet neglected public health challenges. Despite being preventable, treatable, and, in the case of hepatitis C, curable, hepatitis continues to affect millions of people and causes more than one million deaths worldwide each year. This year’s theme, “Let’s Break It Down,” urges countries to remove the financial, social, and health system barriers that prevent people from accessing vaccination, testing, treatment and quality care. For Pakistan, where hepatitis remains a major public health concern, the message is particularly timely and demands renewed national commitment. Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses. In Pakistan, hepatitis B and hepatitis C account for most chronic infections. Because these infections often progress silently, many individuals remain unaware they are infected until they develop liver cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. This hidden nature of the disease makes early diagnosis essential.
Pakistan carries one of the highest burdens of hepatitis B and C globally. Millions of people are estimated to be living with chronic infection, creating a substantial burden on families, healthcare services and the national economy. Fortunately, scientific advances have transformed the outlook for hepatitis control. Safe and effective vaccines protect against hepatitis B, while modern antiviral medicines can cure more than 95 percent of hepatitis C infections if diagnosed early. These remarkable achievements mean that hepatitis elimination is an achievable public health goal rather than a distant aspiration. The hepatitis B vaccine has been included in Pakistan’s Expanded Programme on Immunization for many years and remains one of the country’s most successful preventive interventions. Ensuring that every child receives all recommended doses according to the national immunization schedule is critical for preventing chronic liver disease later in life.
Despite these advances, several challenges continue to hinder hepatitis elimination. Limited public awareness, delayed diagnosis, social stigma and unequal access to healthcare services prevent many people from receiving timely care. Individuals living in remote and underserved communities often face additional barriers, including long travel distances, financial constraints and limited availability of diagnostic and treatment services. Strengthening primary healthcare and expanding equitable access to hepatitis services must therefore remain national priorities. Unsafe healthcare practices also continue to contribute to hepatitis transmission. The unnecessary use of injections, reuse of syringes, inadequately sterilized surgical and dental instruments, unsafe blood transfusions and poor infection prevention practices increase the risk of spreading hepatitis B and C. Healthcare facilities across both public and private sectors must consistently implement infection prevention and control standards, ensure safe injection practices and maintain strict blood safety measures.
Public awareness is equally important in eliminating hepatitis. Misconceptions surrounding the disease often discourage individuals from seeking testing and treatment. Hepatitis is not transmitted through casual social contact such as shaking hands, hugging, sharing meals or working together. Replacing myths with scientific knowledge will reduce stigma and encourage more people to access healthcare services without fear of discrimination. World Hepatitis Day also reminds us that testing saves lives. Individuals with a history of blood transfusions, repeated medical injections, dialysis, surgery, tattooing or body piercing with unsterilized equipment or other recognized risk factors should consult qualified healthcare professionals regarding hepatitis screening. Early diagnosis enables timely treatment, prevents serious liver complications and reduces further transmission. Expanding community-based screening and integrating hepatitis services into primary healthcare can substantially improve case detection.
Healthcare professionals have a vital role in achieving hepatitis elimination. Doctors, nurses, dentists, laboratory staff, pharmacists and allied health workers must uphold the highest standards of infection prevention while educating patients about hepatitis prevention, vaccination and treatment. Continuous professional training, effective surveillance systems and reliable laboratory services are equally important for strengthening Pakistan’s hepatitis response. Pakistan has committed to supporting the global goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Achieving this target will require sustained political commitment, increased domestic investment, expanded vaccination coverage, universal access to safe blood, affordable diagnostic services, uninterrupted treatment and strong partnerships among government institutions, development partners, professional associations, civil society organizations and local communities.
On this World Hepatitis Day, every citizen has a responsibility. Parents should ensure their children receive routine immunization. Healthcare workers must practice safe infection control. Communities should reject stigma and encourage people at risk to seek testing. Policymakers should continue investing in hepatitis prevention and elimination programmes that reach the most vulnerable populations. A hepatitis-free Pakistan is within reach. The vaccines, diagnostic tests, medicines and scientific knowledge already exist. What is needed now is collective action to break down barriers, strengthen health systems, expand equitable access to care and promote awareness across society. By working together, Pakistan can protect future generations from viral hepatitis and move confidently toward a healthier and more prosperous future.
—The writer is public health consultant, based in Islamabad.
