HIV and Hepatitis B and C screening will now be mandatory before all invasive and surgical medical procedures across the country. The decision has been taken by Pakistan’s ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.
The directives that are issued by the ministry will be immediately implemented to prevent infection and control measures. This will help curb the spread of hepatitis and HIV infections
Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal, according to the official notification took a serious notice of the speed by which Hepatitis B, C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the country.
The notification applies to all private and public hospitals and all the healthcare facilities. Based on the notification they must adopt strict precautionary and preventive measures to ensure that HIV and hepatitis is not spread further.
Provincial governments, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan authorities have been directed by the federal health ministry to immediately comply with the new testing requirements.
According to the directive, the healthcare centres and hospitals must conduct HIV 1 and 2 Antibody Tests through Rapid or ELISA methods.
Hepatitis C screening will be done through Anti-HCV, and Hepatitis B screening will be done by HBsAg.
All these screenings must be done before any surgical procedure and invasive surgery.
It was also clarified by the ministry that the screenings will be done before both minor and major surgeries.
The screenings will be done before any medical procedure that involves the insertion of surgical instruments into the body.
The notification also added that guidance and counselling will be given to the individuals who test positive for these cases.
Health care facilities will be responsible for the counselling and guidance.
Also read: Federal Health Minister denies reports of HIV cases in country
