Hepatitis has been a silent destroyer in Pakistani communities for decades, claiming lives while many remain unaware of the threat. As a living kidney donor turned kidney health coach who travels from the USA to work directly with rural communities in Sohawa, Punjab, I’ve witnessed an alarming pattern during my advocacy trips over the past two years: patients arriving for kidney treatment, only to discover they’re simultaneously fighting an undiagnosed hepatitis infection that may have caused their kidney disease in the first place. This devastating connection between hepatitis and kidney failure, particularly evident in Punjab’s rural areas, drove me deeper into understanding Pakistan’s hepatitis crisis. A conversation with Dr. Saeed Akhtar, a leading transplant surgeon and key figure in Pakistan’s hepatitis elimination efforts, opened my eyes to a harsh reality: well-meaning dialysis centers can become hubs for hepatitis C transmission without proper protocols. This insight compelled me to earn certifications in Hepatitis B (Hepatitis B Foundation) and Hepatitis C Test and Cure (University of Washington) to bring better-informed advocacy directly to these underserved communities. This blog is the first in a series exploring Pakistan’s fight against hepatitis, a cause I’m committed to amplifying through advocacy and education. Now, with Pakistan’s renewed national efforts, I believe we’re on the cusp of a breakthrough.
The Scale of the Crisis
Pakistan faces a staggering hepatitis burden: an estimated 10 million people live with Hepatitis C (HCV), and 4–5 million with Hepatitis B (HBV). Each year, viral hepatitis claims numerous lives—estimates point to approximately 37,000 deaths annually, with one death roughly every 20 minutes. The true toll is hard to pin down due to limited national data since 2008. What keeps me up at night is how many go undiagnosed. In 2022, only 29.06% of HBV cases and 54% of HCV cases were diagnosed, leaving millions unaware of their condition. Without action, HCV cases could rise to over 11 million by 2035. We cannot let this happen.
A Bold National Plan
In 2024, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revitalized Pakistan’s hepatitis elimination program, reportedly allocating PKR 67.77–68.25 billion (approximately USD 250 million) to scale up screening, testing, and treatment nationwide. While specific funding details are still emerging, this aligns with the government’s ambitious goal to screen every person over the age of 12 and link those found positive to treatment, aiming for elimination by 2030. The WHO, through its representative Dr. Lou Dapeng, has pledged long-term support, reinforcing Pakistan’s efforts with global expertise.
Local Solutions, Global Impact
Pakistan has a unique advantage: we produce Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs) for HCV locally, costing as little as US$25 for a three-month treatment with a cure rate over 95%. This affordability is a game-changer, though access in rural areas remains a challenge. For HBV, vaccination has been part of the Expanded Programme on Immunization since 2002. While early national birth dose coverage was only 3%, recent efforts in Sindh and Punjab have pushed it to 65% in primary care delivery sites by 2023–2024, a significant leap forward.
Leadership That Transforms Nations
Dr. Saeed Akhtar, MD, MPH, FACS, Chairman Board of Governors at Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center (PKLI&RC) and a key member of the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis C Elimination Programme Task Force, embodies the leadership Pakistan needs. A distinguished urologist and transplant surgeon with training from Yale University and American institutions, Dr. Akhtar brings both clinical expertise and public health vision to Pakistan’s hepatitis fight. His philosophy of “institution building as nation building” resonates deeply with Pakistan’s transformation. As a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and former Ex-Governor of the American College of Surgeons for Pakistan, Dr. Akhtar returned from chairing the Department of Urology at Texas Tech University to serve his homeland. Under his leadership at PKLI&RC, the institute has become Pakistan’s frontline warrior against hepatitis. Operating across 23 districts, PKLI has achieved remarkable results:
- Screened nearly one million people (914,872 patients in 15 months)
- Vaccinated hundreds of thousands against HBV (394,468 patients)
- Reached over 510,000 through awareness campaigns
- Performed 259 liver transplants and 272 kidney transplants in 2024
- Earned JCI accreditation for cutting-edge care, including robotic surgery
- Currently sees around 3,000 patients daily for screening, vaccination, and free treatment across its 23 clinics
Dr. Akhtar’s vision extends far beyond institutional walls. His Task Force pilot project in Gilgit-Baltistan screened 14,000 people in just 10 days in a region with limited healthcare access, proving community-based screening can work anywhere. Dr. Akhtar’s message is clear: Pakistan must learn from Egypt’s successful hepatitis C elimination model. “We have around 10 million people infected with Hepatitis C,” he emphasizes, “but we also have the expertise and potential to eliminate the virus from our population.” His international recognition includes presenting at the UN Group of Friends to Eliminate Hepatitis meetings and the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination forums. His work demonstrates that with political will, robust screening campaigns, safe healthcare practices, and community awareness, Pakistan can achieve elimination by 2029.
Lessons from the Ground
Pakistan’s progress was highlighted at a 2024 global hepatitis event, where international experts, including Dr. Lou Dapeng from WHO, recognized our strides. This global spotlight underscores that Pakistan is serious about elimination. The momentum is building, but challenges remain.
The Road to 2030
Eliminating hepatitis by 2030 won’t be easy. Challenges like funding shortages for NGOs, inconsistent provincial coordination, and low birth dose vaccination in some areas persist. We must expand screening to every corner of Pakistan and eliminate unsafe practices—reused syringes, unscreened blood transfusions, and unsterilized barbershop tools. Each of us has a role. If you live in a high-prevalence area or have had a procedure with potentially unsterile equipment, get screened. It’s often free and could save your life. With affordable treatments, strong leadership, and global support, Pakistan has the tools to win this fight. I’ve seen too many families learn of hepatitis too late. We don’t have to lose more lives. The question isn’t whether we can eliminate hepatitis by 2030—it’s whether we’ll choose to. That choice starts with you.
What’s Next?
This is the first in a series exploring Pakistan’s journey to eliminate hepatitis. In upcoming posts, I’ll dive deeper into:
- Community-based screening programs and how they’re reaching rural areas
- The role of healthcare workers in frontline detection and treatment
- Success stories from the field that prove elimination is possible
- How individuals and families can protect themselves and their communities
Stay tuned as we explore how Pakistan can win this fight together.
About the Author
Naima Khan is a living kidney donor and kidney health coach (American Kidney Fund) working with rural communities in Punjab from the USA. Recently certified in HCV Test and Cure (University of Washington, May 2025) and Hepatitis B education (Hepatitis B Foundation). Connect with her advocacy work at naimakhan@discoversouls.org
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