Portugal reduces cases of hepatitis C in dialysis, in prisons and among injecting drug users

Report of the National Program for Viral Hepatitis of the Directorate-General for Health is presented today, World Hepatitis Day

The number of new cases of hepatitis C in the context of dialysis, in prisons and among injecting drug users has decreased in the last five years, as a result of policies for the prevention, diagnosis and early treatment of this disease, announced the Directorate-General for Health.

The analysis of the epidemiological situation of viral hepatitis is one of the aspects highlighted in the report of the National Program for Viral Hepatitis of the Directorate-General for Health, which is presented today, World Hepatitis Day.

The document highlights the reduction in hospitalizations for cirrhosis associated with hepatitis C and the number of cases of hepatitis B and C among organ and blood donors.

In 2021, for example, 6 cases of hepatitis B were reported in blood donors, compared to 55 cases in 2012. The cure rate for hepatitis C remains above 95%, exceeding 99% in the prison population.

The DGS highlights the growing trend of testing for hepatitis B and C, not only in health facilities, but also in the community. The 33% annual increase in testing for hepatitis B and C is precisely one of the program's goals by 2024, such as a 50% reduction in mortality from cancer or cirrhosis or the treatment of more than 90% of eligible people with these types of hepatitis.

Teamwork of all health and social support structures, the promotion of literacy and easy access to treatment and medical care are essential to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) viral hepatitis elimination goals for 2030 – the a 90% decrease in the number of new cases of hepatitis B and C infection and a 65% reduction in associated mortality.

Portimão also marks World Day 

The presentation of the report will take place in a public session, in the Exhibition Room of the Paços do Concelho de Lisboa building, between 10 am and 13 pm and will feature a diverse range of participants.

The event will be also streamed on Youtube and on the DGS Facebook. This event is one of the initiatives planned for World Hepatitis Day, which symbolize Portugal's commitment to the goals defined by the WHO.

This initiative, which constitutes an opportunity to reinforce the importance of prevention, diagnosis and treatment, is marked on the birthday of Baruch Blumberg, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery of the hepatitis B virus, and subsequent development of the diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus.
During the week of July 22nd to 29th, awareness-raising actions will be carried out to promote health literacy and rapid testing sessions for hepatitis B and hepatitis C. A drop of blood is all it takes.

The DGS and the Ministry of Health will also mark the date, symbolically, through the yellow lighting of their buildings, thus reaffirming their commitment to the fight against Viral Hepatitis and associated stigma, reinforcing prevention, diagnosis, treatment and healing, in order to achieve the goals set by the WHO.

The lighting of the monuments and municipal buildings will take place at night, during the period of 27 and 28 of July (two nights), and will count on the participation of the signatory cities of the Declaration of Paris - Cities on the expressway, which, with the objective of to raise community awareness about Viral Hepatitis (Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E), will illuminate the following buildings in yellow:

Amadora – City Hall Building and Fernando Piteira Santos Municipal Library building
Cascais – City Hall Building
Lisbon – Statue of D. José
Loures – Town Hall Building
Odivelas – Town Hall Building
Oeiras – Town Hall Building
Portimão – City Hall Building and Portimão Municipal Museum
Porto – Viscondes Balsemão Palace
Sintra – Moorish Castle

The city of Coimbra also accepted the challenge and in the two nights and will light up the City Hall building.

As in the previous year, the 2022 campaign theme, “Hepatitis Cannot Wait”, highlights the urgency of accelerating hepatitis elimination efforts through sustained and affordable prevention, diagnosis and treatment responses.

 

 



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