Health centers and hospitals prescribed almost 1,5 million (1) Hepatitis B and C diagnostic tests in 477, which represents an increase of 427% compared to the previous year.
In 2022, there was also a 3% increase in access to treatment, with a total of 2192 being carried out, according to the 2023 report of the National Program for Viral Hepatitis (PNVH), of the Directorate-General for Health (DGS), which is published today.
Data released on World Hepatitis Day demonstrate the prioritization of the area and investment in diagnosis.
This year, the 28th of July has the motto “One life, one liver”, which aims to raise awareness of the disease and the importance of early detection, as it treats and stops transmission and progression to cirrhosis or cancer. from the liver.
Most tests (about a million) are prescribed in hospitals. However, the results may be underestimated, since there are health centers with the capacity to perform Hepatitis C tests.
Regarding the treatments approved by INFARMED, the authorizations surpassed the results of the last two years.
Prevention also had positive results in 2022, not only with regard to vaccination against Hepatitis B, with an average coverage of 97,8% over the last two decades, but also through the distribution of condoms.
After the reduction following the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a 34% increase in the number of condoms distributed, which exceeded 5,2 million, a figure close to that recorded in 2019.
Despite the downward trend of the last 12 years, the Syringe Exchange Program remains robust, with more than one million syringes distributed in the last year.
The annual report also highlights the hepatitis C microelimination projects, whether related to dialysis, in the prison context and in the drug user population, which are essential in view of the national commitment to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030.
At a time when the number of new cases notified is below 200 per year, the focus on these projects depends a lot on the leadership of non-governmental organizations, which the DGS recognizes the preponderant role and proximity to the communities, namely in the screening of hepatitis B and C, which has seen an increasing trend since 2014.
Improving the future approach to hepatitis will involve immediate access to treatments, in an equitable manner, or by improving the disease notification process, with the inclusion of Hepatitis D as a notifiable disease also foreseen.
In recognition of the progress registered in the approach to hepatitis, Portugal will host the 4th World Hepatitis Summit, co-organized by WHO and the World Hepatitis Alliance. The 2024 Summit has the high patronage of the Minister of Health.
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