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Cairo – Essam Badawi
Egypt has launched a one-of-a-kind campaign to screen more than 50 million adults for the purpose of detecting and treating the hepatitis C virus free of charge as part of its commitment to eradicate the disease from here 2022.
Egyptian officials have described the spread of hepatitis C as "one of the country's most serious health problems" and claimed that "its elimination is a priority".
"Egypt, with a population of nearly 100 million, has the highest rate of hepatitis C infection in the world and 4.4% of the world's population. the Egyptian adult population is suffering from a random survey, "said the World Bank.
The disease kills 40,000 Egyptians each year, making it the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cerebrovascular disease.
The campaign also includes free tests to detect basic noncommunicable diseases, diabetes, hypertension and obesity, which account for about 70% of deaths in Egypt.
The campaign will continue until next April and will take place in three stages, each comprising a number of provinces.
"This initiative is a huge initiative involving a very large number of people and will help change the health map of Egypt.The two biggest health problems, the virus C, and all the major noncommunicable diseases and factors of risk are eliminated, "said John Jabbour, WHO representative in Egypt.
Hepatitis C is a disease caused by a virus that circulates in the blood. Acute infection with the hepatitis C virus is usually not accompanied by symptoms, but the health status of a large number of people with a Chronic infection develops with hepatitis C, or liver cancer.
There is currently no vaccine against hepatitis C, but antiretroviral drugs can cure over 95% of people with the disease, about 71 million people worldwide.
The most common methods of infection are dangerous injection practices, non-sterilization of medical equipment, blood transfusion and blood products without examination.
The main reason for the spread of hepatitis C in Egypt is the multiple use of non-sterile injections during the country's fight against the spread of schistosomiasis decades ago.
The World Bank said in a report published this year that the blood supply in Egypt is being tested with a technology that does not detect most infections, especially the hepatitis C virus.
The campaign, called President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's initiative to eliminate virus C and detect noncommunicable diseases, is not only free for 18 years and over, but also includes free treatment for people with these diseases .
This initiative is accompanied by an extensive publicity campaign in the various media, as well as posters and publications distributed everywhere to encourage citizens to participate.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Medbouli said at a press conference that 11.5 million people had been tested during the first phase of the two-month campaign, adding that the results showed that 5% Between them were suffering from hepatitis C.
The Egyptian Minister of Health, Hala Zayed, said the results show that the number of people living with the disease in rural areas is higher than in urban areas.
The World Bank is the main backer of the campaign and the Egyptian government is contributing part of its budget. According to a statement to the Council of Ministers, the World Bank has provided $ 133 million for the survey and $ 129 million dollars for patients.
The bank said it hoped to transfer the Egyptian experience in this area to other countries.
Due to the shortage of government medical centers, the Egyptian Ministry of Health has set up mobile checkpoints for churches, mosques, youth centers and even streets, markets and subway stations.
The rural population of Egypt generally lacks adequate health services compared to urban dwellers and there are no dispensaries in some villages.
Health Minister Hala Zayed said the government's strategy for dealing with hepatitis C is to examine and treat all adults at once, so that the disease can not spread.
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