Free Hepatitis C screening camp held for Chehlum mourners in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD - A free Hepatitis C screening and awareness camp was held at an imambargah in Islamabad's G-6/2 sector for Chehlum mourners as part of the federal government's drive to promote early detection and treatment of the disease, the Ministry of National Health Services said on Monday. According to the ministry, the camp was organised on the directions of Federal Minister for National Health Services Mustafa Kamal under the government's nationwide Hepatitis C elimination campaign. The camp offered free Hepatitis C screening, medical consultations and public awareness on the prevention and control of the disease. Individuals who tested positive were referred to designated centres under the National Hepatitis Control Programme, where they would receive free treatment. A spokesperson for the ministry said Dr Zia Dawar, Project Director of the National Hepatitis Control Programme, supervised the screening camp to ensure the smooth provision of healthcare services to mourners. Speaking on the occasion, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal urged the public to undergo Hepatitis C screening, stressing that early diagnosis and timely treatment were essential to eliminating the disease. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to providing free screening, diagnostic testing and treatment under its nationwide campaign, "One Nation, One Mission - Hepatitis-Free Pakistan." The minister also called on civil society organisations, the media and the public to actively support the national effort to eliminate Hepatitis C, saying collective participation was essential to achieving a Hepatitis C-free Pakistan.