Challenges remain in hepatitis C diagnosis, treatment: workshop

Director of the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases Nguyen Van Kinh speaks at the workshop in Hanoi on September 24 (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – A workshop held in Hanoi on
September 24 pointed out that there remain numerous challenges in the diagnosis
and treatment of hepatitis C in Vietnam.

Hepatitis C is one of the leading causes of
and in the country, which has recorded high incidences
of hepatitis B and C.

Director of the National Hospital for Tropical
Diseases Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kinh said there haven’t been any vaccines against
hepatitis C, but this disease can be treated thanks to new drugs that directly
attack the virus.

However, the access to these drugs is still
limited due to high treatment costs, the drugs not covered by health insurance,
and a lack of diagnosis and treatment services.

These are major challenges to the support for
and treatment of patients, Kinh noted.

It is estimated that Vietnam has nearly 8
million people infected with hepatitis B and 1 million others contracted hepatitis
C, ranking third in the world and second in Asia in terms of hepatitis
incidence.

Data released by the World Health Organisation (WHO)
show that in 2017, among the nearly 1 million people infected with hepatitis C,
only more than 80,000 were diagnosed, nearly 35,000 had conditions to receive
treatment, and 4,500 were treated.

Meanwhile, public awareness of hepatitis remains
low. As a result, only when the diseases become serious and develop into
cirrhosis or liver cancer do they come to hospitals to have check-ups.

Therefore, people are recommended to have
regular health check-ups, take screening for and C, and avoid
drinking alcohol to prevent hepatitis infection.

To support Vietnam to enhance hepatitis
diagnosis and treatment, the Clinton Health Access Initiative has engaged the
country in its Quick-Start programme, which has also involved five other
nations. 

Under this programme, 2,018 hepatitis C patients
have received treatment, and 98 percent of those with treatment results
recorded have recovered./.