ISLAMABAD, Jul 28 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi Sunday said that Pakistan was on tipping point of socioeconomic development and it was high time for all the citizens played their role to uplift country’s poor by providing them education, health and other opportunities equally.
Addressing a National Conference themed ‘Invest in Eliminating Hepatitis from Pakistan’ in connection with the World Hepatitis Day annually observed on July 28, the president said the prevalence of hepatitis B and C in 15 to 20 million people of Pakistan was alarming.
He said the vehicle to transmit the virus of both hepatitis and HIV was same like the unsafe blood transfusion and reuse of syringes which needed to be tackled to avert any volcanic situation.
However, the president strongly advocated for focused efforts on prevention of the diseases terming it far cheaper than the cure.
The conference marked the launching of Prime Minister’s Policy Package for Elimination of Viral Hepatitis from Pakistan that would ensure the screening of around 140 million people for hepatitis and provide free medical treatment of those found infected.
The event was attended by Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, Regional Director WHO Dr Ahmed Salim Al-Mandhari, Assistant Director General Universal Health Coverage, WHO Dr Ren Minghui and health experts from various local and international institutions.
VNS Islamabad
