Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar pledged to back screening of students, faculty and staff for Hepatitis C at federal universities.
The promise was made at the HEC Secretariat during a meeting with a delegation headed by Zubair Nasir, CEO of Qamar Jahan Diagnostic Laboratory.
The group informed the chairman about the Prime Minister's National Hepatitis C Elimination Programme, which has named the laboratory as the government's focal point for execution.
The programme seeks to lower Hepatitis C rates through early detection, public awareness and prompt treatment, especially among youth and working-age groups.
Under the plan, National Skills University Islamabad will cooperate with the lab to set up screening camps across federal universities, and those diagnosed will receive free treatment.
Dr. Akhtar said HEC will notify federal universities about the scheme and urge participation. The commission will also issue an advisory requesting universities to work with NSU and the lab to ensure smooth and wide-reaching screening activities.
He added that universities can play a key role in raising awareness of preventable diseases. Senior HEC officials and laboratory representatives also attended the meeting.
