ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a nationwide campaign against hepatitis on Sunday on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, as governments and health organizations raise awareness about the disease and its implications on millions around the globe today. 

Every July 28 the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners mark World Hepatitis Day to increase awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases it causes. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and noninfectious agents leading to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal.

In a statement issued by his office, Sharif lamented that Pakistan has a “very high burden” of hepatitis C infection, pointing out that the country currently has 10 million infected cases out of 60 million hepatitis C cases globally. He said it is feared Pakistan would see an epidemic of liver cancer if necessary actions to prevent and eliminate viral hepatitis are not taken.