70% of Romanians have never been tested for hepatitis C

The Association of Romanian Liver Patients (APAH-RO) analyzed the behavior of Romanians with regard to liver diseases in an opinion poll conducted by CURS between October and November 2018 with representativity national.

The tests are free

According to the data, about 70% (69%) of the respondents said they had never been screened to find out if they were infected with hepatitis C. Only 6% said they had already performed such a test in the last year. . This is despite the fact that more than 90% of Romanians are aware of the seriousness of hepatitis C.

"Health is a responsibility in itself, we need to focus more on prevention and testing to make sure we do not carry infectious disease viruses." Hepatitis, starting this year for insured persons, screening can be done free of charge through a family doctor.In addition, for hepatitis C, there is a free interferon program that can be accessed by people diagnosed from the first degree of fibrosis, "said Marinela Debu, president of APAH-RO.

The population does not know

The interferon-free program for patients with hepatitis C, implemented by the Ministry of Health through the CNAS, has already entered the third year, but 72% of the Romanian population does not know not that there is such a possibility of treatment. Under these conditions, 57% of people diagnosed with hepatitis C followed this type of treatment without interferon and 36% with interferon, the remaining 7% reported not receiving treatment.

A lack of information also shows that more than half of respondents are unaware that this year every insured person has the right to be tested free of charge (analysis of viral markers of hepatitis B and C) on recommendation of the family doctor.

"In Romania, about 600,000 Romanians are suffering from chronic hepatitis C and about 800,000 chronic hepatitis B. Medical checks should not be considered as a last resort when we feel bad, but they must become an annual routine to prevent complications that can affect our lives in the medium and long term, "said Marinela Debu, president of APAH-RO.

Most Romanians cite cancer and cirrhosis among the complications of liver disease, but unfortunately, 44% of people who responded to the survey say they do not know how to prevent the onset of cancer. liver disease. The lack of information also leads to a change of behavior and a quarter of Romanians recognize that they would change attitude when they discovered that a person close to hepatitis and do not interact with it. In fact, among patients with hepatitis, one-third confesses that he has encountered problems at his workplace.

APAH-RO encourages Romanians to visit their family doctor and request referral of viral markers. Hepatitis is an infectious disease, often asymptomatic, that generates major dangers because affected people can transmit the virus at any time. At the same time, it is only by applying the concept of "test & treat" that the results will be visible as soon as possible, in medical and financial terms. A detected patient must automatically receive the necessary treatment, otherwise it remains a risk factor for the whole society.

People diagnosed with hepatitis C should know that since September of this year, a new cost / outcome contract for the interferon-free program has come into effect and that, in accordance with the new provisions, patients starting out with first degree of fibrosis have access to treatment. In addition, doctors have in their selection system all the innovative therapies available on the Romanian market so that the treatment of each patient is as personalized as possible.

Screening and treatment should be Romania's goals in the elimination of hepatitis. To this end, the association has tested more than 1,000 people, especially from disadvantaged populations in the country.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), viral hepatitis B and C pose major problems, affecting 325 million people. These diseases cause cancer of the liver and cause 1.34 million deaths per year because at least 60% of liver cancer cases are based on late tests, that is to say access to treatment for hepatitis B and C at advanced stages of the disease.