The federal government has implemented compulsory hepatitis screening for all its employees working in various ministries and departments in Islamabad.
The screening will take place under the Hepatitis Programme of the Prime Minister and is a part of a campaign to discover hepatitis patients at an early stage and provide immediate treatment to them.
In case there is a preliminary positive test, the employees will be given free of charge testing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method which will analyze if there is in fact the hepatitis detected or not. If there is, those diagnosed will receive free treatment from the state.
This health programme is financed with Rs67 billion, and more than 50,000 hepatitis test kits have already been purchased.
According to the government’s plans, the quality of those tests will be significantly improved – PCR equipment has been installed at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The federal plan includes broadening hepatitis testing, improving the process of early diagnosis and treatment, and offering free medicine.
