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Myanmar

Hepatitis research to be conducted nationwide in February

By Khaing Thanda Lwin

Yangon, 11 Jan — A survey of people infected with liver disease, especially hepatitis B and C viruses, is reported to be conducted nationwide in February by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Liver Foundation, a local nonprofit organization.

“The project is believed to help reduce the death toll and the outbreak of the silent killers,” said Dr Daw Khin Pyone Kyi, President of the Foundation.

After the survey, the two bodies have plans to distribute anti-hepatitis C virus drugs free of charge to infected people by the middle of the year,she added.

At a recent meeting in the capital city, the ministry is said to have vowed to accelerate its initiative called National Hepatitis Programme in partnership with NGOs and INGOs to bridge the treatment gaps for hepatitis virus.

According to a WHO survey, there are about 400 million people living with hepatitis B virus and some 170 million with hepatitis C virus.

In Myanmar, it is estimated that 8-10 per cent of the people surveyed are found contracting hepatitis B virus, while two to five per cent are suffering from the hepatitis C, with experts noting that the actual figures would be higher following the nationwide survey.

More joint projects and programmes will be implemented throughout the year, Dr Daw Khin Pyone Kyi said.

Both hepatitis B and C viruses have potential to lead to chronic liver infections which can be transmitted through contact with blood or body fluids of an infected person.

Vaccines are available for hepatitis B, but there is no vaccine available for hepatitis C. Despite this, effective drugs to fight the virus are available in some countries, with experts saying that these drugs have potential to kill the virus in a short time.—GNLM