Doctors and specialists have confirmed that the prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) is below 2% in the country and is on track to achieve the World Health Assembly goal of eradicating the virus by 2030 by the Ministry of Health and Community Protection and the Dubai Health Authority .
"Despite the low prevalence of the hepatitis C virus in the UAE, early detection and treatment are of paramount importance in preventing health problems that may result from the health problems of the UAE," said Dr. Mohammed Farghali, Assistant Professor of Health Economics at Dubai Medical School. Infection, and reduction of transmission of HIV ", calling for support and enabling doctors to conduct hepatitis C virus testing and to equip them with knowledge and tools for early detection and treatment of the disease as part of efforts to eradicate it by 2030.
This was during a meeting of senior primary care physicians in the UAE to participate in the Pro-Tech program under the auspices of Gilead Sciences, under the theme "Viral Hepatitis Virus: A Step Towards Treatment among the Most Vulnerable Groups" to discuss gaps and barriers in The program has been approved by the Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases of the Emirates Medical Association to focus on educating doctors about the burden of hepatitis C virus, the value of its treatment, simplification of treatment, and clinical case studies.
"Often people may face obstacles to screening or finding appropriate care, such as lack of awareness and understanding that may be the result of stigma and discrimination associated with the disease," said Dr. Nawal Al Nahdi, consultant of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases at Rashid Hospital. The focus of testing on vulnerable groups is a step in the right direction to solve this problem. Success is possible if we provide easy and intensive access to the hepatitis C virus for the largest number of people. At the same time, we need to work together to develop care models, That would be repulsive I tested hepatitis C and treatment ».
15 million infected with the virus Eastern Mediterranean
The Eastern Mediterranean region, of which the UAE is a part, has the highest prevalence (2.3%) worldwide, with 15 million people infected with the chronic hepatitis C virus, but with the exception of Egypt and Pakistan, In the other countries of the region, "C" is relatively low (about 1%), while prevalence in the UAE ranges between 0.24% and 1.64%.