Pakistan is witnessing a sharp increase in hepatitis C cases, according to a new report highlighting global health concerns. The situation has drawn attention from international health experts due to the country’s high disease burden. Public health systems and millions of patients are directly affected by the rising trend.
The World Health Organization (WHO) report states that Pakistan, India, and China together account for 39 percent of the global hepatitis C burden. It further warns that Pakistan is among the countries with the highest number of related deaths worldwide. As a result, the disease remains a major public health challenge.
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According to the report, hepatitis B and C caused around 1.34 million deaths globally in 2024. During the same year, 1.8 million new cases were recorded across the world. However, treatment coverage remains limited, especially in low and middle-income countries.
Experts say only 20 percent of hepatitis C patients globally receive treatment, while hepatitis B treatment rates are even lower. In Pakistan, unsafe medical practices, reused syringes, and contaminated injections are identified as key drivers of transmission. Therefore, weak infection control continues to fuel the spread.
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Health specialists warn that current measures are insufficient to meet global elimination targets by 2030. They emphasize the need for stronger prevention strategies and improved healthcare regulation. Meanwhile, awareness and vaccination efforts remain critical to controlling the disease burden.