ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has taken another step towards eliminating hepatitis by strengthening the Prime Minister’s National Programme for Hepatitis C Elimination through a public-private partnership, with Dr. Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital being designated as a Centre of Excellence under the initiative.
The announcement was made during a national seminar held on World Hepatitis Day, where health authorities, medical experts and development partners discussed strategies to achieve Pakistan’s target of becoming hepatitis-free by 2030.
The seminar was organised by the Ministry of National Health Services in collaboration with Dr. Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, GAK Healthcare International, and other partner organisations.
Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal inaugurated the event, while Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary attended as the chief guest.
The event was attended by senior government officials, representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders. Speakers stressed the need for coordinated efforts to improve hepatitis prevention, diagnosis and treatment facilities across the country.
During the seminar, Project Director of the Prime Minister’s National Programme for Hepatitis Elimination Dr. Ziaullah Khan Dawar officially announced Dr. Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital as a Centre of Excellence under the hepatitis control initiative.
Dr. Dawar said the hospital was selected due to its advanced healthcare infrastructure, modern diagnostic facilities, experienced medical professionals and capacity to provide quality treatment services.
He added that the hospital serves patients from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and various districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, making it an important healthcare centre for the national programme.
CEO of GAK Healthcare International and Dr. Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, Yasir Khan Niazi, said the private sector would continue working alongside the government to support Pakistan’s mission of eliminating hepatitis.
He said private healthcare institutions can contribute through better medical services, research, innovation, healthcare education, public awareness campaigns and community outreach programmes.
Yasir Khan Niazi described the hospital’s recognition as a Centre of Excellence as a significant milestone and said the initiative would strengthen cooperation between government institutions and private healthcare providers.
He highlighted that eliminating hepatitis requires collective efforts from government departments, medical institutions, academic organisations, development partners and other stakeholders.
During the seminar, healthcare experts discussed Pakistan’s hepatitis situation, prevention measures, expansion of screening services, modern diagnostic techniques and improvements in treatment options.
Speakers emphasized that early detection, timely medical care and public awareness are essential to reducing the impact of hepatitis in Pakistan.
Officials reiterated that collaboration among healthcare organisations would play a key role in achieving the national goal of eliminating hepatitis by 2030.
