EVERY year on 28 July, the world observes World Hepatitis Day, a global reminder that viral hepatitis remains one of the most serious yet neglected public health challenges. Despite being preventable, treatable, and, in the case of hepatitis C, curable, hepatitis continues to affect millions of people and causes more than one million deaths worldwide each year. This year’s theme, “Let’s Break It Down,” urges countries to remove the financial, social, and health system barriers that prevent people from accessing vaccination, testing, treatment and quality care. For Pakistan, where hepatitis remains a major public health concern, the message is particularly timely and demands renewed national commitment. Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses. In Pakistan, hepatitis B and hepatitis C account for most chronic infections. Because these infections often progress silently, many individuals remain unaware they are infected until they develop liver cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. This hidden nature of the disease makes early diagnosis essential.

Pakistan carries one of the highest burdens of hepatitis B and C globally. Millions of people are estimated to be living with chronic infection, creating a substantial burden on families, healthcare services and the national economy. Fortunately, scientific advances have transformed the outlook for hepatitis control. Safe and effective vaccines protect against hepatitis B, while modern........

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