ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has directed employees of the Ministry of National Health Services to undergo mandatory screening for hepatitis C, warning that those who fail to get tested could face suspension of their salaries from next month.

The directive comes as the government steps up efforts to eliminate hepatitis C in Pakistan. Kamal has repeatedly described the disease as a major public health challenge and called for wider screening to identify infections at an early stage.

Under the latest initiative, screening is initially being made mandatory for employees of the federal health ministry. Officials have said the programme is expected to be expanded to a wider section of the population as part of the national hepatitis C elimination campaign.

Employees who test positive are expected to receive further testing and access to treatment, with the government providing support for diagnosis and medicines under its hepatitis programme.

Pakistan faces one of the world’s largest hepatitis C burdens, with an estimated 10 million cases. The national programme aims to significantly expand testing and treatment, particularly among people aged 12 and above, as the country works towards eliminating hepatitis C as a public health problem by 2030.