Contact us | Plan should simplify diagnosis and strengthen care for viral hepatitis

A plan aims to eliminate hepatitis C in Brazil by 2030. It was agreed between the Ministry of Health, states and municipalities. The goal is to simplify the diagnosis, extend testing and strengthen care for viral hepatitis.

The biggest challenge of the plan is to perform the search for people who, although diagnosed, are not in treatment and those who have not yet been diagnosed

The director of the regional Nissandra Karsten confirms the receipt of advice from the Ministry of Health for the simplification of diagnosis and comments that professionals from 18 municipalities are already doing this type of work. "Nurses perform rapid consultations and tests in all cities."

The director explains that people with positive cases are referred for treatment. "The Ministry of Health intends to speed up the diagnosis and, in this way, it will expand the offer of rapid tests in municipalities, conduct active research and observe the diagnosis."

Nissandra points out that there was also an expansion of drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C. "It is a silent disease.Many people are infected with the virus of the disease. Hepatitis C and have no symptoms, so it is essential to diagnose and treat these people as quickly as possible for their quality of life and public health. "

NOTIFICATIONS

the Ministry of Health, hepatitis C currently has the highest number of cases among all hepatitis. In 2017, the incidence rate was 11.9 cases per 100 000 population. There are more than one million people who have been in contact with the type C virus, which represents 0.71% of the Brazilian population.

In May, 72 patients with type C virus were in active treatment in Regional Health Since 2013 until last year, the 20th Regional had recorded 148 cases of hepatitis C.

Nissandra emphasizes that he can do the quick test (at least once) all people over age 40 (phase that perceives the highest incidence of the disease); patients with other hepatic, psychiatric or diabetic conditions; people who have had a change in liver enzymes or who have had blood transfusions or organs. In addition to those who had a tattoo, he was wearing a piercing or knew that the partner had hepatitis.