Free hepatitis C screening facilities have been introduced in Gilgit district under the Prime
Minister’s National Programme for Elimination of Hepatitis. The initiative aims to help residents
get early diagnosis and free treatment for hepatitis C.

According to the Ministry of National Health Services, free screening facilities are now available
at the Deputy Commissioner and Additional Deputy Commissioner offices in Gilgit. Residents
can also access these services at the offices of assistant commissioners in all three
sub-divisions of the district.

The ministry has encouraged residents to visit their nearest Assistant Commissioner office to
benefit from the free screening facility. The programme aims to make hepatitis C testing and
treatment easier for people across the region.

Under this federal government initiative, eligible patients can receive free screening, diagnostic
tests, and treatment. The programme is designed to identify infected people at an early stage
and provide them with proper medical care.

Initially, patients will receive free screening tests to check for possible hepatitis C infection.
Those who need further examination will be provided with PCR tests for a more detailed
diagnosis.

The government will also cover the cost of treatment and medicines. This support is especially
important for low-income families who may struggle to afford expensive medical tests and
medicines.

The initiative is part of a wider national effort to identify people who may have hepatitis C but
have not yet been diagnosed. Early testing and timely treatment can help prevent the disease
from spreading to others.

The programme was first launched in Islamabad and is now being expanded to Gilgit-Baltistan
and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The government also plans to extend the facilities to more
areas across the country.

Through this initiative, the government aims to improve access to free healthcare, reduce the
number of hepatitis C cases, and move closer to eliminating the disease in Pakistan.

Source: Ministry of National Health Services

Habib

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