On World Hepatitis Day, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) data reveals that Pakistan holds the fifth-highest burden of viral hepatitis worldwide, trailing only China, India, Indonesia, and Nigeria. With 13.8 million citizens living with chronic Hepatitis B or C, the country faces a public health crisis driven largely by unsafe medical practices. Main Developments PMA Secretary General Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro reported that Pakistan accounts for 10 million chronic Hepatitis C cases and 3.8 million Hepatitis B cases. The national prevalence for Hepatitis C ranges from 4.8% to 7.5%, while Hepatitis B affects 1.1% to 1.7% of the population. Complications from these infections—including liver cirrhosis and liver cancer—kill over 37,000 Pakistanis annually. WHO data cited by Dr. Shoro indicates that Pakistan generates nearly 44% of all new global Hepatitis C infections from unsafe medical injections alone. Read also: Why 16-Year-Old Timber Worth Billions Remains Unsold in Pakistan Each year, roughly 110,000 new infections occur nationwide. Of these, 62% stem from unsafe medical procedures—including unscreened blood transfusions—while 38% result from injection drug use. Background Dr. Shoro detailed the primary transmission routes in Pakistan: reuse of non-sterile syringes, medical equipment, and intravenous drips; unscreened or improperly screened blood transfusions; unsanitary practices during surgery, dental work, body piercing, tattooing, and shaving with unsterilized razors at barbershops; and quackery by unlicensed practitioners. Low coverage of the mandatory Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine—given within 24 hours of delivery—further compounds the problem. President Asif Zardari, in a statement for World Hepatitis Day, acknowledged that Pakistan bears one of the highest Hepatitis C burdens globally, placing "a considerable strain on our healthcare system, economy and society." He called for a two-pronged strategy of strict regulation to eliminate unsafe healthcare and commercial practices, combined with mass public awareness campaigns. Why It Matters Viral hepatitis is both preventable and curable with early detection and treatment, yet it remains a leading cause of death in Pakistan. The disease disproportionately affects low-income communities where unsafe medical practices are common, and the economic toll—through lost productivity and healthcare costs—is immense. The high rate of new infections (110,000 per year) signals that current prevention efforts are insufficient. Without systemic changes to injection safety, blood screening, and vaccination coverage, the epidemic will continue to strain an already overburdened healthcare system. What's Next President Zardari has called for strengthened regulation and enforcement to eliminate unsafe practices in healthcare, barbershops, and beauty salons. Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq reaffirmed Parliament's commitment to strengthening public health systems, promoting preventive care, and enacting legislation to ensure quality healthcare access. Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah emphasized the need for public awareness, early diagnosis, and equitable access to treatment. Whether these political commitments translate into concrete action—such as increased funding for hepatitis programs, stricter licensing of medical practitioners, and nationwide vaccination campaigns—remains an open question.