ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to conduct hepatitis screening for government employees posted in Islamabad, with the screening process set to begin on August 18.
According to sources, employees of all federal ministries and government departments will be included in the screening programme.
Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal is expected to formally launch the hepatitis C screening initiative at the Ministry of Health.
Sources said government employees who test positive for hepatitis C will be provided free PCR testing to confirm their diagnosis. The government will also provide free medicines to employees diagnosed with hepatitis.
The screening initiative is being carried out under the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis Programme, for which Rs67 billion has reportedly been allocated overall. An allocation of Rs1 billion has been made for the programme during the current fiscal year.
According to sources, 50,000 testing kits have been procured for the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis Programme, while testing of hepatitis C samples is currently underway at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The initiative aims to facilitate early detection and treatment of hepatitis C among government employees and expand access to free diagnostic and treatment services.
