The current state of Pakistan’s healthcare system has devolved into a paradox where the pursuit of healing often leads to further harm. For millions of citizens, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, a routine visit to a local clinic for affordable care can result in the unwitting contraction of a life-threatening viral infection. Because of a systemic lack of oversight, patients frequently walk out of medical facilities carrying diseases they did not arrive with, discovering the truth only years—or even decades—later when the damage has become irreversible. This betrayal of public trust transforms the act of seeking help into a dangerous gamble with one’s long-term survival.
The Engines of Infection: Malpractice and Quackery This public health emergency is fueled by a pervasive culture of negligence, where the reuse of syringes, unsafe blood transfusions, and the failure to follow basic sterilization protocols are alarmingly common. These practices have propelled Pakistan to the grim top of global rankings for Hepatitis C (HCV), with an estimated 10 million cases. When combined with Hepatitis B, nearly 15 million Pakistanis are believed to be infected, yet fewer than 30% are aware of their status. This crisis is exacerbated by the unchecked operation of over 600,000 “quack” doctors. These unlicensed practitioners prioritize profit over patient safety, operating in the shadows of the law and serving as primary vectors for blood-borne pathogens.
The Invisible Timeline of Hepatitis C The primary danger of HCV lies in its “silent” nature; the virus targets the liver but often remains asymptomatic for years. By the time symptoms manifest, the liver has frequently reached a state of advanced scarring (cirrhosis), failure, or even liver cancer. In a country where the average citizen struggles to afford basic outpatient care, the prospect of regular, unprompted medical screenings is a luxury many cannot fathom. Expecting a population burdened by economic hardship to seek out preventative testing is a policy failure of “wishful thinking,” as most only engage with the healthcare system when they are in acute pain—often far too late for effective HCV treatment.
A Call for Relentless Accountability While the government launched an HCV elimination program last year with a 2050 target, there is a legitimate fear that this initiative will suffer the same fate as previous “crackdowns.” Historical patterns suggest that authorities often identify a crisis only to abandon it once the media spotlight fades, much like the short-lived response to the HIV outbreak among children in Punjab. To truly address this medical crisis, the state must move beyond symbolic gestures. What is required is a relentless, nationwide screening campaign accessible to all income groups, coupled with the permanent, non-negotiable closure of unlicensed clinics. Hepatitis C must be treated as a national emergency; otherwise, the “Water Tower of Asia” will soon be defined by a population crippled by a preventable liver disease epidemic.
Shafaqna Pakistan
pakistan.shafaqna.com
Note: Shafaqna do not endorse the views expressed in the article
