A tripartite MOU between the Punjab Hepatitis Control Program, the Punjab Inspectorate General of Prisons and Ferozsons Laboratories Limited, a leading pharmaceutical company, was signed to combat viral hepatitis and ensure that health and well-being of the prisoners. Under the MOU standardized Hepatitis clinics will be established at 43 prisons across Punjab which will cater approx. 52000 population of prisoners. 

The signing ceremony was held at the Governor’s House in Lahore hosted by Governor Punjab Mr. Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar. On the occasion, Governor Sarwar, spoke of the importance of protecting marginalized communities against viral Hepatitis and upholding basic human rights for all.

Dr. Khalid Mahmood, Program Manager of the Punjab Hepatitis Control Program said that, the Program is working under four pronged strategy of Educate-Prevent-Test and Treat. “Creating awareness to protect our population from hepatitis infections, and providing Test and Treat those livingwith hepatitis is our foremost responsibility in line with Pakistan’s commitment to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. The prison population provides an ideal opportunity to undertake high risk groups of Hepatitis B and C within all Punjab prisons.”

Speaking at the occasion, Punjab Inspector General for Prisons Mirza Shahid Saleem Baig said that, “We strive every day to ensure that our prisons work as effective correction centers so that inmates can be safely rehabilitated as responsible, healthy citizens. This MOU will help vulnerable inmates get access to hepatitis testing and cure, and ensure their wellbeing. Jail authorities will collaborate with the Hepatitis Control Program to ensure uninterrupted supply chain management and the resources and equipment required to set up Hepatitis clinics at all 43 prisons of the province.”He was thankful to Punjab Hepatitis Control Program for provision of logistics essential for the cause.

Under the MOU Ferozsons Laboratories Limited - which pioneered oral Hepatitis C cures under license from Gilead Science, Inc., USA, and more recently introduced the world’s first vaccine for Hepatitis E - is supporting the Prisons department through a donation of centrifuge machines forPCR sample collection, biometric devices for unique identification  for its Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, and transportation boxes for the safe transportation of blood samples and Hepatitis vaccines.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Osman Khalid Waheed, CEO Ferozsons Laboratories Limited said that, "The Punjab Prisons Elimination program, which extends access to treatment and cure to a marginalized and vulnerable part of the population, marks an important step towards Pakistan’s mission to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. This MOU will enable the key players to collaborate and extend treatment to high-risk groups in our prisons in anefficient and seamless manner."

The signing of this MOU is a great step towards enhancingpublic-private partnerships to tackle many serious public health challenges faced by the common man.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries of both departments of Primary & Secondary Healthcare and Specialized Healthcare along with distinguished guests from inspectorate of Prisons and Hepatitis Control Program, Punjab.