Every year on 28 July, the world marks World Hepatitis Day. For most countries it is a reminder. For Pakistan, it is an emergency. Pakistan now carries the heaviest hepatitis C burden on the planet, a silent virus known locally as کالا یرقان (kala yarqan) that millions carry without ever knowing.
Quick Answer
Pakistan has the highest number of hepatitis C cases in the world, with an estimated 10 million people infected, yet most do not know they carry the virus. This World Hepatitis Day, the single most important step you can take is a simple blood test, because hepatitis C is now curable when caught in time.
You do not need symptoms to get checked. You can book a hepatitis test online on Marham with home sample collection in minutes.
Why World Hepatitis Day Matters for Pakistan
World Hepatitis Day exists to push one message: testing and treatment save lives. Nowhere is that message more urgent than here. According to the World Health Organization, Pakistan stands out clearly as the single largest contributor to the global number of people living with hepatitis C.
An estimated 10 million Pakistanis are living with the virus, and around 110,000 new infections are added every year. The hardest part is that the majority have never been tested, so they spread it and risk their own lives without knowing.
The Hidden Hepatitis C Crisis in Pakistan
Hepatitis C does not respect provincial borders, but some areas carry a heavier load than others. These are the prevalence figures reported in Pakistan’s national data.
| Province | Hepatitis C Prevalence |
|---|---|
| Punjab | 8.9 percent |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 6.5 percent |
| Sindh | 6.2 percent |
| Balochistan | 5.2 percent |
To put that in perspective, the WHO says more than 1 percent of a population being infected is a serious problem. Several of our provinces are running at six to nine times that level.
How Hepatitis Spreads in Pakistan
The biggest driver here is not what most people imagine. The WHO reports that the majority of new hepatitis C infections in Pakistan come from unsafe medical injections and reused needles. Common routes include:
- Injections given with reused or fake syringes, often by unqualified practitioners
- Blood transfusions that were not properly screened
- Unsterilised tools at barbers, such as shared razors during a shave
- Dental work, ear and nose piercing, or tattoos with unclean equipment
- Sharing personal items like razors and toothbrushes
- Mother to child during birth, and injection drug use
Most hepatitis C in Pakistan spreads through unsafe injections and reused needles, not through hugging, sharing food, or mosquito bites.
Get Tested for Hepatitis C
Book a hepatitis test with Health+ by Marham, get home sample collection, and save 30 percent when you pay online.
Or call the Marham helpline: 0311 1222398
Hepatitis B vs Hepatitis C: Know the Difference
| Feature | Hepatitis B | Hepatitis C |
|---|---|---|
| Vaccine available | Yes, safe and effective | No vaccine yet |
| Curable | Managed with medicine, not usually cured | Yes, curable in most cases |
| Main spread | Blood, mother to child, unsafe injections | Blood, unsafe injections, reused needles |
| Local name | Kala yarqan | Kala yarqan |
The Silent Symptoms: Why Testing Is the Only Way
Hepatitis C is often called a silent infection because it can sit in the liver for years without any sign. When symptoms finally appear, they may include:
- Constant tiredness and weakness
- Loss of appetite and nausea
- Yellow eyes or skin, known as jaundice
- Dark coloured urine
- Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen
- Joint and muscle aches
Because most people feel completely fine for years, you cannot rely on how you feel. A blood test is the only way to know for sure.
Should You Get Tested for Hepatitis?
This is not a diagnosis. It is a quick way to see if a test is worth booking. Answer yes or no in your head.
- Have you ever had an injection or drip from an unqualified practitioner?
- Have you ever received a blood transfusion?
- Do you share a razor at the barber or get a clean shave outside?
- Have you had dental work, a piercing, or a tattoo with reused tools?
- Does a family member have hepatitis, or have you never been tested?
If you said yes to even one, book a simple hepatitis test. It brings either peace of mind or an early, curable diagnosis.
The Good News: Hepatitis C Is Now Curable
Here is the part that changes everything. Hepatitis C is no longer a life sentence. A class of medicines called direct acting antivirals cures most patients within a 12 week course of daily tablets, with very few side effects.
Pakistan also has one of the cheapest generic treatment courses in the world, and the government has launched a national programme aiming to treat half of all hepatitis C patients by 2027. Caught early, the virus can be cleared before it ever damages the liver. Left untreated, it can slowly lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer, which is exactly why testing today matters so much.
How to Get Tested in Pakistan
Testing is quick and simple. It starts with a screening blood test for hepatitis C antibodies. If that is positive, a follow up PCR test confirms an active infection. You can get tested through government hepatitis programme centres, at a lab, or from home.
If a clinic visit is hard, booking online is the easiest route. With Health+ by Marham you can book a hepatitis test, get home sample collection, and save 30 percent by paying online. If your result is positive, you can consult a gastroenterologist on Marham to start treatment.
Consult a Liver Specialist on Marham
16,000+ PMC verified doctors across 100+ specialties. Book a gastroenterologist in person or online in minutes.
Helpline: 0311 1222398 (9:00 AM to 11:00 PM)
ورلڈ ہیپاٹائٹس ڈے: پاکستان، ٹیسٹ ضرور کروائیں
ہر سال اٹھائیس جولائی کو دنیا بھر میں ہیپاٹائٹس کا عالمی دن منایا جاتا ہے۔ پاکستان کے لیے یہ دن خاص اہمیت رکھتا ہے کیونکہ عالمی ادارہ صحت کے مطابق پاکستان میں ہیپاٹائٹس سی یعنی کالا یرقان کے مریضوں کی تعداد دنیا میں سب سے زیادہ ہے۔ اندازہ ہے کہ تقریبا ایک کروڑ پاکستانی اِس وائرس کا شکار ہیں، مگر اکثریت کو اپنی بیماری کا علم ہی نہیں۔
یہ وائرس زیادہ تر غیر محفوظ انجیکشن، استعمال شدہ سرنجوں، غیر تصدیق شدہ خون اور حجام کے گندے آلات سے پھیلتا ہے۔ اچھی خبر یہ ہے کہ کالا یرقان اب قابل علاج ہے۔ صرف بارہ ہفتوں کی گولیوں سے زیادہ تر مریض مکمل صحت یاب ہو جاتے ہیں، بشرطیکہ بیماری وقت پر پکڑی جائے۔
ہیپاٹائٹس سی اکثر برسوں تک کوئی علامت ظاہر نہیں کرتا، اِس لیے صرف خون کے ٹیسٹ سے ہی اِس کا پتہ چلتا ہے۔ اگر آپ نے کبھی غیر محفوظ انجیکشن لگوایا ہو، خون لگوایا ہو یا کبھی ٹیسٹ نہ کروایا ہو تو فوراً ٹیسٹ کروائیں۔ مرہم پر آپ گھر بیٹھے ہیپاٹائٹس ٹیسٹ بک کر سکتے ہیں اور رپورٹ مثبت آنے پر ماہر معدہ و جگر سے مشورہ بھی لے سکتے ہیں۔
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Pakistan have so much hepatitis C?
The main reasons are unsafe medical injections, reused and fake syringes, and unscreened blood. The World Health Organization reports that most new infections in Pakistan come from these unsafe practices.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?
Often there are none for years. When symptoms appear, they can include tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, and pain in the upper right abdomen.
Is hepatitis C curable?
Yes. Most people are cured with a 12 week course of direct acting antiviral tablets. The earlier it is found, the easier it is to treat before the liver is damaged.
How do I get tested for hepatitis in Pakistan?
Start with a simple blood test for hepatitis C antibodies. You can book it at a lab, through a government programme, or online with home sample collection through Marham.
Is there a vaccine for hepatitis C?
No vaccine exists for hepatitis C yet, which is why testing and safe injection practices matter so much. There is, however, a safe and effective vaccine for hepatitis B.
Final Thoughts
This World Hepatitis Day is not about fear, it is about action. Pakistan leads the world in hepatitis C, but it also has the cure within reach and at a low cost. The only thing standing between millions of people and a healthy liver is a single blood test.
Do not wait for symptoms that may never come until it is too late. Get tested this 28 July, encourage your family to do the same, and turn the country’s biggest health crisis into its biggest success story.
