Address by Prof. Saeed Akhter, President PKI, Chairman BOG PKLI & JMCRC, and Member of the Task-Force for PM’s Hepatitis Elimination Program on the Success of the Pilot Project in Gilgit-Baltistan
In a special ceremony held in Islamabad on March 18, 2025, Prof. Saeed Akhter addressed the audience on the success of the Pilot Project for the PM’s Hepatitis Elimination Programme in Gilgit-Baltistan.
His speech highlighted the journey that led to this achievement and expressed his gratitude for the collaborative efforts that made it possible.
He added that the journey towards this moment began in 2016, even before the establishment of the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI). He told the audience that during this time, I recognized the growing challenge posed by hepatitis in Pakistan, a condition that affects a large portion of our population. It was clear that a comprehensive, nationwide approach was needed to eliminate hepatitis, a silent yet dangerous disease that claims thousands of lives every year.
He told that in 2022, I had the privilege of discussing this vision with our current Prime Minister. Later explored the idea of launching a pilot project, starting with Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). The decision to begin in GB was strategic, as the region has a relatively small population of approximately 1.7 million people. This made it an ideal setting to test the effectiveness of our approach before scaling it up to the rest of the country.
By focusing on this manageable population size, we could carefully monitor the outcomes, address any challenges, and refine the program before its nationwide rollout.
The success of this pilot project has been incredibly promising, not only in terms of the number of people screened and treated but also in terms of the insights we have gained to inform the next phase of the program on a national level.
The achievements we are witnessing today are a testament to the collaborative effort of the government, healthcare professionals, and the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, who have all played an essential role in the success of this project. Their participation, dedication, and belief in this cause have been instrumental in making this initiative a reality.
Moving forward, this successful pilot project will serve as a model for the national Hepatitis Elimination Programme, ensuring that Pakistan can take significant steps toward eradicating this life-threatening disease and improving the health of millions of our citizens.
In conclusion, He extended heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in this effort, and with continued commitment and support, we will achieve our ultimate goal of a hepatitis-free Pakistan insha ALLAH.
His speech highlighted the journey that led to this achievement and expressed his gratitude for the collaborative efforts that made it possible.
He added that the journey towards this moment began in 2016, even before the establishment of the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI). He told the audience that during this time, I recognized the growing challenge posed by hepatitis in Pakistan, a condition that affects a large portion of our population. It was clear that a comprehensive, nationwide approach was needed to eliminate hepatitis, a silent yet dangerous disease that claims thousands of lives every year.
He told that in 2022, I had the privilege of discussing this vision with our current Prime Minister. Later explored the idea of launching a pilot project, starting with Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). The decision to begin in GB was strategic, as the region has a relatively small population of approximately 1.7 million people. This made it an ideal setting to test the effectiveness of our approach before scaling it up to the rest of the country.
By focusing on this manageable population size, we could carefully monitor the outcomes, address any challenges, and refine the program before its nationwide rollout.
The success of this pilot project has been incredibly promising, not only in terms of the number of people screened and treated but also in terms of the insights we have gained to inform the next phase of the program on a national level.
The achievements we are witnessing today are a testament to the collaborative effort of the government, healthcare professionals, and the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, who have all played an essential role in the success of this project. Their participation, dedication, and belief in this cause have been instrumental in making this initiative a reality.
Moving forward, this successful pilot project will serve as a model for the national Hepatitis Elimination Programme, ensuring that Pakistan can take significant steps toward eradicating this life-threatening disease and improving the health of millions of our citizens.
In conclusion, He extended heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in this effort, and with continued commitment and support, we will achieve our ultimate goal of a hepatitis-free Pakistan insha ALLAH.
