Pakistan is in the grip of a hepatitis crisis of staggering proportionsPakistan is in the grip of a hepatitis crisis of staggering proportions. With an estimated 12 to 15 million people infected with hepatitis B or C, the country carries one of the heaviest hepatitis C burdens in the world. As things stand, Pakistan ranks among the top five countries globally for hepatitis burden, with nearly 10 million people living with hepatitis C and approximately 4 million with hepatitis B. A Punjab-centric study last year found hepatitis C prevalence rates as high as 42.7% among certain risk groups. Unsafe medical injections account for 62% of new hepatitis C infections, with reuse of non-sterile syringes, improperly sterilised equipment and unscreened blood transfusions cited in studies.