Issa Mohamed Al Ishaq (left), Deputy Communication Manager, Qatar Red Crescent Society, and Dr Saad Al Kaabi, Head of GIT Department, HMC, exchanging documents after signing an agreement for Hepatitis C treatment at a Symposium on Hepatitis C held at the
DOHA: Prevalence of Hepatitis C in Qatar has dropped from two percent to 0.8 percent and globally the country has the lowest incidence rate of the disease, said a senior official yesterday.
Early detection and advanced treatment methods available free in the country have contributed considerably to reducing the prevalence of Hepatitis C, said Dr Hamad Eid Al Rumaihi, Director of Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control Department, Ministry of Public Health.
According to reported cases and surveys held in 2010, the prevalence of Hepatitis C was two percent and it reduced to 0.8 in 2014. Also, preliminary findings of an ongoing survey have found that by July 31, the prevalence of Hepatitis C remains at 0.8 percent.
Qatar aims at complying with the ‘global health sector strategy on viral Hepatitis 2016-2021.’ The strategy addresses four main areas as increasing awareness, screening, treatment for all cases and follow-up.
“Among the 0.8 percent of Hepatitis C cases, 0.3 are Qataris and the remaining are residents. Our aim is to reduce the incidence of Hepatitis C by 30 percent by 2020. Therefore, by 2020, the prevalence should be reduced to an average of 0.5 percent,” said Dr Al Rumaihi, speaking on the sidelines of a symposium held to educate health care workers on hepatitis C at the Doha Marriott Hotel.
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis C virus. It can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis infection, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness.
The Hepatitis C virus is a bloodborne virus and the most common modes of infection are through unsafe injection practices, inadequate sterilization of medical equipment, and the transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products.
“In Qatar, we have an excellent infection prevention system and we screen all blood samples. Also, Qatar has a lower mother to child transmission. Raising awareness alone will not reduce the incidence but early screening and treatment reduce incidence and complications. Now we have the new treatment, the anti-viral therapy. The tablet has to be taken for 12 weeks and the cure rate is above 90 percent,” said Dr Al Rumaihi. An agreement was signed yesterday between Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) and HMC to support the treatment of non-Qatari patients. Treatment Hepatitis C is free for Qataris and residents will have to pay 20 percent of the cost. According to the five-year agreement, the 20 percent cost will be paid by QRC.
Issa Mohamed Al Ishaq, Deputy Communication Manager, Qatar Red Crescent Society, and Dr Saad Al Kaabi, Head of Gastroenterology Department at HMC, signed the agreement.
“If anyone is detected with Hepatitis C at health care centres, we refer them to Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). We don’t have a waiting list like many other countries and the patient will start receiving free treatment within a week. We are encouraging all patients who know about their condition to come forward and receive the new treatment of anti-viral therapy,” said Dr Al Rumaihi.
