Pakistan ranks fifth globally in viral Hepatitis burden, PMA warns

Pakistan has been ranked among the countries with the highest number of viral hepatitis cases worldwide, with the country standing fifth globally in total hepatitis burden, according to the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA).

Pakistan has been ranked among the countries with the highest number of viral hepatitis cases worldwide, with the country standing fifth globally in total hepatitis burden, according to the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA). The warning was issued on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, highlighting the growing public health challenge caused by hepatitis B and C infections.

PMA Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro said Pakistan has one of the world’s largest burdens of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), with around 10 million people suffering from chronic Hepatitis C. In addition, an estimated 3.8 million people are living with chronic Hepatitis B (HBV), bringing the total number of people affected by viral hepatitis in the country to approximately 13.8 million.

According to the PMA, Pakistan’s hepatitis burden is higher than many countries and is exceeded only by China, India, Indonesia, and Nigeria. The national prevalence rate of Hepatitis C is estimated between 4.8 and 7.5 percent, while Hepatitis B affects around 1.1 to 1.7 percent of the population.

Health experts warned that untreated hepatitis can lead to serious complications, including liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, which collectively claim more than 37,000 lives in Pakistan every year.

Dr Shoro stated that Pakistan contributes a significant share of new global Hepatitis C infections due to unsafe medical practices. He highlighted that thousands of new infections occur annually because of the reuse of unsterilized syringes, unsafe medical equipment, and unscreened blood transfusions.

Other major causes of hepatitis transmission include unsafe surgical procedures, dental treatments, tattooing, body piercing, shaving with contaminated razors at barber shops, and practices carried out by unqualified healthcare providers. Low coverage of the mandatory Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine has also remained a concern.

President Asif Ali Zardari said hepatitis remains one of the country’s most serious public health challenges but emphasized that it can be prevented and treated through early detection, timely medical care, and collective efforts. He stressed the need for strict regulation of unsafe healthcare practices and awareness campaigns to protect citizens.

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also highlighted the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and access to quality treatment. He said strengthening the healthcare system and improving public awareness are essential steps toward reducing the disease burden.

Health authorities and public representatives called for greater cooperation between government institutions, healthcare providers, and communities to control hepatitis transmission and improve treatment access across Pakistan.