Hanoi (VNA) – A workshop held in Hanoi onSeptember 24 pointed out that there remain numerous challenges in the diagnosisand treatment of hepatitis C in Vietnam.

Hepatitis C is one of the leading causes ofcirrhosis and liver cancer in the country, which has recorded high incidencesof hepatitis B and C.

Director of the National Hospital for TropicalDiseases Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kinh said there haven’t been any vaccines againsthepatitis C, but this disease can be treated thanks to new drugs that directlyattack the virus.

However, the access to these drugs is stilllimited due to high treatment costs, the drugs not covered by health insurance,and a lack of diagnosis and treatment services.

These are major challenges to the support forand treatment of hepatitis C patients, Kinh noted.

It is estimated that Vietnam has nearly 8million people infected with hepatitis B and 1 million others contracted hepatitisC, ranking third in the world and second in Asia in terms of hepatitisincidence.

Data released by the World Health Organisation (WHO)show that in 2017, among the nearly 1 million people infected with hepatitis C,only more than 80,000 were diagnosed, nearly 35,000 had conditions to receivetreatment, and 4,500 were treated.

Meanwhile, public awareness of hepatitis remainslow. As a result, only when the diseases become serious and develop intocirrhosis or liver cancer do they come to hospitals to have check-ups.

Therefore, people are recommended to haveregular health check-ups, take screening for hepatitis B and C, and avoiddrinking alcohol to prevent hepatitis infection.

To support Vietnam to enhance hepatitisdiagnosis and treatment, the Clinton Health Access Initiative has engaged thecountry in its Quick-Start programme, which has also involved five othernations. 

Under this programme, 2,018 hepatitis C patientshave received treatment, and 98 percent of those with treatment resultsrecorded have recovered./.