Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Health, Ms Sherry Rehman on Friday directed the Ministry of Health to review the National Program for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis by shifting the paradigm and focusing more on the expansion of treatment facilities to the deserving patients.
She said this while addressing the follow-up briefing here after the inquiry she had ordered a few days back after the appearance of some reports in the newspapers about some flaws in the program.
The minister said that, the scope of this programme needs to be expanded and with the help of provincial and district governments qualified pathologists and physicians will be appointed in all district headquarter hospitals.
She added logistic and human resource system, particularly cold chain arrangements for the vaccines will be improved. She appealed to the donors, philanthropists and civil society organisations to come forward and help the government in this cause. The minister was informed by the National Program Manager, Dr Sharif Ahmad Khan that estimated prevalence of Hepatitis B and C is 3-4 percent (6 million infections) and 5-6 (7.5 million infections) respectively.