Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal today launched mandatory screening of Hepatitis-C for all the government employees in Islamabad under the Prime Minister's Hepatitis Elimination Programme.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony in Islamabad, he said it is a phased-wise programme, starting from the Federal Capital in the first phase. He said Hepatitis-C screening is compulsory for every person in Pakistan, who is above the age of twelve years. 

The Minister for Health said the government has established seventeen centres in Islamabad while private hospital will also provide screening of Hepatitis-C test facility. He said the government is providing gadgets and testing kits to private hospitals as well.

Mutafa Kamal said we have made Hepatitis-C test screening mandatory for employees of Health Ministry today and writing letters to other ministries as well for this purpose.

The Minister for Health said diffusion of Hepatitis-C in the country is a matter of grave concern, saying that Hepatitis-C infection can be controlled through effective treatment and raising awareness among the people.

Mustafa Kamal said all the screening kits and equipment have been provided to Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan as well and the government is launching this programme in those areas soon. He said the Federal government has also started consultations to take the all the provinces on board on the issue.