ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been identified as the largest contributor to the global burden of hepatitis C, according to the World Health Organisation’s Global Hepatitis Report 2026, raising serious concerns about unsafe medical practices and weak infection control measures across the country.
The report highlights that hepatitis B and C remain among the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide, despite being preventable and treatable. In 2024, an estimated 287 million people were living with chronic hepatitis infections globally, including 47 million with hepatitis C. These infections caused 1.34 million deaths, largely due to liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Pakistan stands out as the leading contributor to hepatitis C cases, followed by India and China, with the three countries accounting for nearly 39 per cent of the global burden. The country also ranks among the top 10 for hepatitis C-related deaths.
Health experts attribute Pakistan’s alarming situation to unsafe injections, reuse of syringes, widespread quackery, and poor infection prevention standards. The presence of fake auto-disable syringes has further increased risks by creating a false sense of safety.
Experts stress the urgent need for mass screening, affordable treatment, strict regulation of medical practices, and enforcement against unqualified practitioners to curb the growing crisis.