The News ternational, Karachi, Thursdny, July 30,2028

NATIONAL 3


Pakistan carries
20pc of global
Hepatitis C.burden,.

highest in world: WHO}

By M Wanar Bhaty Wanar Bhatt)

ISLAMABAD:  Pakistan
has the highest number
of Hepatitis C patients in
the world, accounting for
almost 20 per cent of the
global Hepatitis C burden,
while neighbouring China
carries around 30 per cent
of the world’s Hepatitis B
burden, according to a new
World Health Organisation
(WHO) report.      .

The WHO's Global
Health Sector Strategies
on HIV, Viral Hepatitis
and Sexually Transmit-
ted Infections 2022-2030;
2026 Mid-term Progress
Report says Pakistan and
China will be pivotal to the
world’s ability to achieve
the 2080 target of reducing
hepalitis-related deaths
by 65 per cent, as both
countries have announced
ambitious plans to rap-
idly expand diagnosis and
treatment,

. The report notes that

* coverage remained “criti has remained poor. “Onty

cally low at just 4.3 percent around 21,000 people vol-| ”

for Hepatitis B and 20 per untarily underwent Hepa-
cent for Hepatitis C, leaving titis C screening In Islama-

millions without lifesaving  bad during the first month! i

care,                              * of the programme, prompt-
According to the WHO, ing concern within the
Hepatitis B-related deaths Ministry of National Health

have increased by 17 per Services.
cent since 2015 despile
the availability of lifelong
antiviral therapy, while
deaths from Hepatitis C
have declined by only 12
per cent, reflecting the
slow pace of diagnosis
and treatment worldwide.
The report warns that the
world remains off track to
eliminate viral hepatitis as a
public health threat by 2030
unless testing and treat-
Ment are expanded rapidly,
particularly in countries
carrying the largest disease
burden.

The report identifies
Pakistan as the country
with the largest number
of people living with virac-
mic Hepatitis C, account-

Expressing frustration
over the low public tumout
while addressing a World
Hepatitis Day ceremony,
Federal Health Minister]
Mustafa Kamal said the
government could not elim:
inate Hepatitis C unless
people themselves come
forward for screening... ©

_ “Nearly one month
has passed but hardly
21,000 people have got
themselves screened.
Screening and treatment
are completely free, yet
people are not getting
themselves screened. We
cannot force people to get
screened at gunpoint,” the
rilnister said.

He announced that the

viral hepatitis remains one ing for almost one-filth government was prepar-
of the few major commue of the global total, while ing legislation to make
nicable diseases for which China has the largest num- HIV and Hepatitis B and
mortality continues to rise ber of people living with C screening mandatory
despite the availability of chronic Hepatitis B infece before every surgical pro-
highly effective vaccines tion, representing about cedure and invasive medi-
against Hepatitis B and 30 per cent of the world’s cal intervention He added

curative treatment for Hep» bu

atitis C, In 2024 alone, an
estimated 1.3 million peo-
ple died from hepatitis-re-
lated cirrhosis and liver
cancer worldwide, includ-
tng 1.1 million from Hep-
atitis B and 240,000 from
Hepatitis C,

Globally, around 240
Niillion people were living
with chronic Hepatitis B

rden. It says accelerated

that the government was| Islami.


treatment in these two also considering making
countries alone could sub- Hepatitis C screening com-
stantially influence global pulsory for people visiting
progress towards hepatitis public and private health-
elimination...               _care facilities, .        :
Against this backdrop,” Kamal said more than
Pakistan has launched the 10 million Pakistanis were
Prime Minister’s Nationat living with Hepatitis C and
Hepatitis C Elimination around 110,000 new infec.
Programme, which aims to tions occur every year, He
sereen more than 164 mil- sald the government was

Watch last episode of
‘Shaidai’ on Geo TV tonight

By our correspondent . gained immense popularity
s                      among viewers,      :

Karachi: After winning — -Theserial features Feroze
viewers’ hearts with its Khan and Schar Hashmi in
engaging storyline, Geo the lead roles, while Bushra
TV and Seventh Sky Enter- Ansari, Mehmood Aslam,
ee |tainment’s drama serial Nawal Saced, Tausecq
Shaidai has reached its Haider, Zainab Qayyum, and
conclusion.                     » Several other accomplished
The final episode ‘will actors delivered memorable.
air on Geo TV on Thurs. performances. >             .
day at 800 pm. Written by —_In the final episode, view.
Saqlain Abbas and directed ers will discover whether Ali
iby All Faizan, the drama Khan succeeds in convine-.
| captivated audiences from ing Meeral of his sincere
its very first episode with love, and whether producers
¥ | its heartfelt romance, emo- Abdullah Kadwani and Asad
tional depth, and charming Qureshi bring this beautiful
moments of light-hearted love story to a satisfying
qjbanter. The original and happy conclusion. The
soundtrack (OST), penned answers to these questions
by Mohsin Khan and per- will be revealed when the
formed and composed by final episode airs tonight at

Mashhad Shehryar, also 8&00pmonGeoTV.

FAISALABAD: Chinese Ambassador ‘tang Zadong visiting the Contuctus Institute,
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Wednesday. —APP


TTAP claims ex-senator Mushtag ‘abducted’
By Mumtaz Ali            *We discovered that he the police,”  says ‘the oppost.  with him. *Since that time,  no , knowledge of Mushtaq
had been transferred to tionaliance. .              we have no further informa. Ahmad's whereabouts,
ISLAMABAD: Tehreek Rawat PoliceStation,located The alliance said that tion regarding his location,” —_ The opposition alliance
Tahaffuz Alyeen-e-Paki- on GT Road. Upon anivingat according to last commun the alliance sald.            -and PRM called upon the
stan (TTAP) on Wednesday the police station, our team catbon from Senator Mushtaq ... The alliance says its the federal and Punjab gov.
claimed that former senator made every effort to meet at 12:26am on July 20, some team reached out to Rawat ernments to ensure Mushtaq
Mushtaq Ahmad Khan had with Mushtzq Ahmad; how.’ senior officials from Rawal- Police Station at 1:20am, Ahmad's physical safety and
been abducted and taken ever, access was denied by pindi were expected lo meet but the SHO daimed to have release.
to an undisclosed location

after denying him entry to
Azad Jammu and Kashmir

(AUK).

Mushtaq heads the Paki-
stan Rights Movement party
and appears on platform of
the opposition alliance.

PRM has also issued a
statement “Urgent Appeal”
about a missing former
senior leader of Jamaat-e-


Government of Pakistan
‘Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA)

The Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA) is anindependent and autonomous federal body established to enable
the people of Pakistan to become a digital nation by leveraging the transformative power of digilal
technologies, responsible use of dala, innovative service delivery models, and robust digital public
infrastructure to accelerate sustainable eocnomic development, improve citizen well-being, and modemize

‘The opposition and PRM
sald on July 28, Mushtaq
Ahmed Khan, accompa-

nied by his team, set out for       govemance frameworks for efficient and effective public service delivery,

(AIK) carrying white fags      PDA will facilitate the creation of a forward-looking digital society, foster a thriving digital economy, and
to express solidarity with} establish a collaborative digital govemance ecosystem, with secure, inclusive, and interoperable digital
Wika paneer         pubic infrastructure as.a key enabler supporting innovation, connectivity, and seamless integralion across

Sectors. «
To build its team, PDA is seeking exceptional and passionate professionals with vision, integrity, and a

the Azad Pattan Bridge and
denied entry to AJK, prorapt-


infection and 47 million lion people aged 12 years bearing the full cost of|ing him to record a formal

with viraemic Hepatitis © and above in phases and diagnosis and treatment,| protest.                           proven track record of delivery in technology, segulation, policy, and digital transformation to lead national
infection in 2024. However, provide free treatment to with screening worth about| — While returning to Islam- | inifatives and help shape Pakistan's digital future. .        .

only 27 per cent of people everyone diagnosed with Rs7,000 and s standard|abad, at approximately 7:07                                                                                                            ”
with chronic Hepatitis B the infection.        * -~ three-month treatment] PM, it was claimed that the     [s# {Job id    [Position
and 36 per cent of those However, ‘despite course costing approxi- Punjab police stopped him at    i 1.-| PDAW0149
with Hepatitis C had been free screening and treat- mately Rs34,000 being pro-| Kahuta Bazaar and forcibly      2. |  PDA150
diagnosed, while treatment. ment, public response vided free of charge.      took him away in his vehicle,                          -


[3 | PoaWoIS | Director Information and Secuty

[ 4. | poavois2 | Exeoutive Director Legal andRegutatoryAfais |

Ls [Poawniss_| Diesn-teptoodRegdaoy fees |

Eligibility & Terms

« Market-compelitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

¢ No TADAwill be admissible for the interview,’

« Goverment department candidates have to obtain an NOC to apply| for the position,

¢ Detailed JOs are available at httosdwww.pda.cov.pk/careers

Application Procedure.

Interested candidates may apply as follows:  .

 Email their CV (maximum 4 pages) and cover letter to obs@pda gov, pk,  Clearly mentioning the Job
(D and position applied for in the subject line. .

. e No hard copies will be accepted,

© Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted...

PMDC, CPSP to be urged to introduce
lifestyle medicine in cu