2023-08-11 09:57:50
Ministry of Public Health Aims to Eliminate Hepatitis B and C by 2030
Date: August 11, 2023
Venue: Wat Lat Pla Duk Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, Nonthaburi Province
In an effort to combat the prevalence of hepatitis B and C in Thailand, the Ministry of Public Health has set a target to successfully eliminate both diseases by the year 2030. To achieve this goal, the ministry is promoting the benefits of hepatitis B and C screening in the national health insurance system, and is inviting people to undergo free screening at hospitals near their homes.
At the announcement, which took place at Wat Lat Pla Duk Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital in Nonthaburi Province, Dr. Opas Karkawinphong, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, stressed the importance of early screening for hepatitis B and C. He highlighted that knowing the infection status early on can significantly reduce the risk of sickness, death, cirrhosis, and liver cancer associated with these diseases.
Currently, Thailand has an estimated 2.2 million people infected with chronic hepatitis B and approximately 300,000 to 800,000 people infected with chronic hepatitis C. These diseases are major causes leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer, and therefore, the Ministry of Public Health considers the screening for hepatitis B and C viruses in the national health insurance system as essential in achieving its elimination goals. The fact that these services are now provided free of charge and are easily accessible near people’s homes further incentivizes individuals to undergo screening.
Dr. Opas urged members of the public to take advantage of the screening services available at government hospitals and sub-district health promotion hospitals under the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Interior. He emphasized that if individuals are found to be infected with the hepatitis C virus, they can receive treatment at community hospitals near their homes, where highly effective oral antiviral drugs are available and can lead to a cure. Although there is no cure for hepatitis B, those in the treatment system can receive medication and ongoing care to prevent the disease from progressing.
The Ministry of Public Health has set a target to eradicate hepatitis B and C by the year 2030. As part of this effort, free screening for both diseases is provided for all people, including those born before 1992 and newborns. Approximately 30-40 million people nationwide are eligible for the free screening. Individuals can undergo screening for hepatitis B and C viruses at all home health facilities participating in the Gold Card program.
Hepatitis B and C are transmitted in a similar manner to AIDS, primarily through blood and secretions, use of infected needles, unprotected sex, and mother-to-child contact. For the general public, only one screening is required throughout their lifetime. However, certain high-risk groups, including HIV-infected people, injecting drug users, men having sex with men, public health personnel, and inmates, should undergo annual screenings for hepatitis C, especially if they have been previously diagnosed and treated for the disease.
Dr. Tares Krassanairawiwong, the Director General of the Department of Disease Control, emphasized that people can get screened for hepatitis B and C at government hospitals, Tambon Health Promoting Hospitals, and all public health service centers. The Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with the National Health Security Office, is working to include hepatitis B and C screening tests in the national health insurance benefits package. All people born before 1992 are eligible for screening, while the high-risk groups mentioned earlier will have the chance to receive repeat screenings for hepatitis C every year, effective from April 1, 2023.
The Ministry of Public Health’s initiative to eliminate hepatitis B and C by 2030 is an important step towards improving the health and well-being of the Thai population. By providing accessible and free screening services, the ministry aims to prevent the spread of these diseases and reduce the associated burden of morbidity, mortality, cirrhosis, and liver cancer in the country.
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