CURRENTLY there are between 400 thousand and 600 thousand Mexicans with Hepatitis C, a viral disease that has no symptoms but damages the liver with fatal consequences, said specialist Enrique Wolpert Barraza.
Wolpert Barraza, chairman of the Scientific Committee of the Mexican Foundation for Hepatic Health (FundHepa), said that with the aim of reviewing, analyzing, discussing and issuing recommendations on improving care and control policies for this disease, the coalition was created for the study of Hepatitis C.
In this specialized agency, he said in a statement, participate public and private institutions, academics, medical societies and civil society organizations. The coordinator also said that Mexico is the second country in Latin America with the highest number of people affected by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).
“Currently there are between 400 thousand and 600 thousand Mexicans with the disease, we speak of a viral disease that usually has no symptoms but causes inflammation and damage to the liver with fatal consequences if it is not diagnosed and treated promptly,” he reiterated.
The specialist maintained that, despite this scenario, the elimination of Hepatitis C is possible. He mentioned that currently a patient diagnosed in time has a high chance of cure thanks to the incorporation of innovative medicines in health systems.
“Mexico could reach the goals set by the World Health Organization (WHO) that seek to reduce by 90 percent the number of new cases of Hepatitis C by 2030; nevertheless, it is necessary to work together with society and health institutions,” he said.
He said that in its first stage, the Coalition prepared a document in support of health authorities, for the creation of the Specific Action Program for Hepatitis C Care and Control in Mexico. The Coalition has worked on the development of proposals to diagnose and refer patients more effectively to health institutions that have treatment, he said. For this second phase, he said, the Coalition has new members various health institutions such as IMSS, Issste, Pemex, Semar, Seguro Popular and ISEM, Clinica Condesa, IMSS Foundation, as well as civil society organizations in Baja California and Mexico City.
Text: Agency
