World Hepatitis Day commemorated – National Hepatitis C elimination strategy update

Right now, according to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 71 million people worldwide are affected with Hepatitis C. This weekend sees the UN World Awareness Day for Hepatitis, with yesterday, 28 July, being dedicated to increasing global awareness on the dangerous effects of the condition.

Hepatitis is the name for inflammation of liver tissue. There are five groups of Hepatitis: A, B, C, D and E. The disease is often regarded as a silent killer because while some people do not have symptoms, others develop yellow discolouration of the skin and whiteness of the eyes, a poor appetite, vomiting, tiredness, abdominal pain or diarrhoea. The most common cause of the disease is the Hepatitis viruses and it can also be caused by the consumption of excessive alcohol, certain medication, infections and autoimmune disease, among others.

Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis are strongly encouraged so that the possibility of complications, such as cancer and liver failure, are reduced. It is therefore vital that the general public, including health professionals, are encouraged to understand more about the disease, test for it and, if found positive, are referred to specialist doctors for continuous care.

Malta has joined the global efforts to eradicate Hepatitis C. Launching a National Elimination Strategy in February this year, Health Minister Chris Fearne said: “The plan is to completely eradicate the virus from Malta by the year 2025, which would then make Malta one of the few countries in the world to eradicate it.”

According to Fearne, over 1,000 people in Malta have Hepatitis C – with little hope of a cure so far. The aim of the national strategy is to provide everyone in Malta with safe, free, and effective testing, care and treatment services.

A total of €75,000 has been spent on the medicine for each person infected by the virus, Fearne said at the time, adding that it was not provided by the government as it was too expensive to be bought for everyone, and was only given to priority patients. He said that negotiations have been underway to purchase new medicinal treatments for ‘a reasonable price’ and patients will start receiving treatment free of charge.

This newspaper spoke to Dr Sascha Reiff, who was involved in the launch of an update of the National Hepatitis C Strategy.

“The first phase includes the roll-out of new medicines for Hepatitis C, (Direct-Acting Antivirals) to patients who are on a priority list due to the severity of their condition. This process began at the end of June and every week there are new patients who begin receiving treatment from specialists at Mater Dei Hospital – a total of 19 so far – with another five due to start treatment within the next week. The treatment usually takes 12 weeks, so within the next two months we will have cured those who have been identified as suffering from Hepatitis C.

“The second and third phases involve education and awareness campaigns to encourage people with Hepatitis C to seek help. In addition, screening will also be carried out in key segments of the population to identify people who do not know that they have been infected. Preparations for these subsequent phases are underway, and will be implemented over the next two years. The plan is to treat around 200 patients a year up to 2025, until everyone who is diagnosed with this infection has been treated.”

Unlike Hepatitis C, there is a vaccine for Hepatitis B and people should be made aware that such a vaccine exists, so that its uptake is encouraged. In fact, the Maltese government already offers this vaccine free of charge to children, health professionals, the AFM, the Police, migrant workers and LGBTI individuals at the GU clinic.

The Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate has produced three leaflets specifically on Hepatitis A, B and C so that they can be distributed at health centres, hospitals, migrant and community centres and workplaces in order to increase awareness of the three conditions. More information is available on the website www.sexualhealth.gov.mt or by calling the Health Promotion or Disease Prevention Directorate on 2326 6000. In order to be tested, a person can consult his/her own GP or call the GU clinic on 2122 7981.