Adopt free treatment -1000 Hepatitis C Patients

Keeping in view the global situation of people who are chronically infected with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), immediate collaborative and concrete steps need to be taken to deal with this public health emergency if a great number of deaths (estimated at 20 million deaths will occur between 2015 and 2030) are to be avoided

Pakistan has a high disease burden with maximum morbidity and mortality by HBV and HCV (Pakistan ranks the 2^nd highest in the world for Hepatitis Prevalence). As per the Pakistan National Hepatitis Strategic Framework (NHSF) for Hepatitis response 2017-2021 the 2 key elements, if we are to even start on the path of Hepatitis elimination, are stopping fresh infections and treating the existing Hepatitis Patients.

The Health Foundation through its Hepatitis Free Community models being implemented in high prevalent areas of Pakistan is already working on both the two key elements i.e. Prevention (mass community awareness/sensitization) and Treatment.  A project to support the treatment for 1000 poorest of the poor patients was pledged on global giving. The details to date of this support are:

1) A total of 569 patients have been registered for Hepatitis C.

2) Out of which 360patients have completed their treatment of 6 months for HCV.

3) SVR* done for 131 patients.  129 found negative. (98 % success rate of treatment)
*Once the full 6 months regime of oral direct acting anti-viral (DAA's) treatment is completed, final HCV RNA (PCR test) is done after a period of another 3 months.f this final test comes out to be negative then it means the patients is declared cured and free from Hepatitis C.

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2^nd Report:

Treatment Update September 2017.

By Dr Laila Rizvi/Dr Kashif Riaz - Project Leader 

Globally, approximately 71 million people are chronically infected with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). If the number of people living with hepatitis remains at the current high levels for the next 40-50 years, it is estimated that a cumulative 20 million deaths will occur between 2015 and 2030; therefore a stepped-up global, regional and national response can no longer be delayed.

Pakistan has a high disease burden with maximum morbidity and mortality in Hepatitis B & CHBV and HCV are major public health threats in Pakistan. Recognizing the enormity of the problem and working towards achieving the WHO global elimination targets by 2030, Pakistan has also developed its National Hepatitis Strategic Framework (NHSF) for Hepatitis response 2017-2021 through a participatory process in which THF was also a key member. Treatment is one of the key components of this National strategy.

THF is already working in accordance to the NHSF and is providing free treatment to non-affording patients to bring down the prevalence and incidence of Hepatitis in Pakistan. A project to support the treatment for 1000 patients was pledged on global giving. The details to date of this support are:

1) A total of 457 patients have been registered for Hepatitis C.

2) Out of which 237 patients have completed have completed their treatment of 6 months for HCV.

3) SVR* is done for 96 patients 95 are negative only 1 person came out to be positive. (99% success rate of treatment)

4) 214 patients are still on treatment.

5) 6 patients dropped out of treatment/follow-up without any specific reason hence they have been added to the exclusion criteria.

6) SVR of the remaining patients is due after October. 

*A final HCV RNA (PCR test) is done at 12 weeks or 24 weeks after the completion of the full 6 months regime of oral direct acting anti-viral. (DAA's). If this final test comes out to be negative then it means the patients is cured and is free from Hepatitis C.