Free HCV tests (anti-HCV tests) can be performed in over 200 centers in Poland. The infection with the hepatitis C virus alone may affect over 200,000 in Poland. people. Every year, about 6-7 thousand die from liver diseases. people, and the mortality rate in Poland is more than twice as high among men than among women.
Liver diseases, especially chronic ones, are an important area of public he alth, both for social reasons and for the consequences of their late complications and treatment costs. At the same time, awareness of the importance of liver disease and the possibility of its prevention in the general population is negligible. This applies to both non-infectious and infectious liver diseases.
In connection with the above, the CEESTAHC Association in cooperation with the Star of Hope Foundation and the European Foundation for Solving He alth Problems has developed a National Pro-He alth Educational Project called "HEALTHY LIVER", the aim of which is to educate - how to prevent the development of chronic liver diseases, especially on the basis of viral. The long-term goal is to reduce the incidence of chronic liver disease, including through free anti-HCV antibody testing.
Among the causes of chronic liver diseases, the most important are: alcohol, hepatotropic viruses (HBV and HCV), metabolic disorders (e.g. obesity, diabetes), as well as autoimmune factors and genetic determinants. The most serious effect of chronic liver disease is cirrhosis, which leads to liver dysfunction, which may result in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma and increases the patient's risk of death. You can prevent some liver diseases today in a very simple and effective way.
The percentage of HBV-related liver disease will decline due to the spread of immunization against HBV, the viral infection that causes hepatitis B. The number of fatty liver disease caused by type 2 diabetes and obesity, alcoholic liver disease and chronic diseases will increase liver caused by HCV.
Viral liver disease has been recognized as a threat to public he alth by the World He alth Organization. In 2016, the WHO He alth Assembly adopted a strategy aimed at eliminating viral hepatitis (viral hepatitis) by 2030year by reducing the incidence of viral hepatitis, increasing the detection of infections, and ensuring equal access to prevention and treatment.
Worth knowingIt is estimated that HCV is responsible for approximately 20-40% of all chronic liver diseases. In Poland, about 1%. population had contact with HCV, and the number of patients with hepatitis C is estimated at approx. 170 thousand. Since the beginning of HCV diagnosis in our country, anti-HCV antibodies were detected only in about 30-50 thousand. people, meaning that the rest of the people are unaware of the dangers. In Poland, the HCV detection rate is approx. 15% and is one of the lowest in Europe. For comparison, in other European countries it is 30-50%, and in Scandinavia over 80%.
- The problem is the low detectability of HCV in Poland. This means that a large number of people can get infected without even knowing it. Detecting and treating the disease at an early stage now makes it possible to completely cure the disease. A person who does not know about the disease deprives himself of this possibility and runs the risk of serious consequences such as cirrhosis of the liver and, at a later stage, even cancer. In addition, a person infected with HCV, but unaware of it, may be a threat to their surroundings by unknowingly transmitting the virus to their loved ones. In the era of fully curable HCV infection, the key to controlling this disease is finding people infected by promoting screening - said Prof. dr hab. n. med. Anna Piekarska, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Łódź.
It is detected by chance during a blood test or when the patient presents
with symptoms of advanced cirrhosis. Often the patients are unaware that they have been infected with HCV. It is necessary to improve the situation, but for this to happen, it is necessary to introduce systemic changes and educate the society about the incidence of chronic liver diseases and the possibilities of prevention.
The main goal of the National Program "HEALTHY LIVER" is education on the prevention of chronic liver diseases in the general population as well as diagnostics and screening for HCV in risk groups. In order to effectively reach the largest number of Beneficiaries, we have started cooperation with occupational medicine services all over Poland. In Poland, over 4.5 million preventive examinations as part of occupational medicine are performed every year and it is during such a visit that the patient can receive educational materials, professional medical information and a quick screening test for the presence of antibodies against the hepatitis C virus - said Magdalena Władysiuk, President of the AssociationCEESTAHC, the program organizer.
- Awareness of HCV infections and awareness of liver disease prophylaxis is insufficient in Poland, so it is worth taking advantage of every opportunity to educate on this subject and perform screening tests. The occupational medicine service looks after working people, including implement preventive and educational programs. At the same time, the patient comes to the occupational medicine doctor because of a legislative necessity, not because of he alth problems, and he is often the only medical professional with whom this employee has contact. So it is the perfect time for preventive measures. Occupational he alth practitioners can help increase the detection of hepatitis C through a targeted interview and anti-HCV testing during initial and periodic examinations. Of course, we want to get involved in such activities and that is why the Polish Society of Occupational Medicine has taken the patronage of the "HEALTHY LIVER" program. The problem is not only he alth, but also social - a large part of the infected are people of working age. Early detection of HCV enables effective treatment and uncomplicated continuation of professional activity,
without deteriorating the quality of life - said Prof. dr hab. n. med. Jolanta Walusiak-Skorupa, President of the Polish Society of Occupational Medicine.
Free research - list of facilities
The pilot program of the "HEALTHY LIVER" Program has been implemented since mid-October 2022 in cooperation with occupational medicine services across the country. The list of he althcare entities participating in the Program is available at www.zdrowawatroba.pl. Selected hospitals in 2 provinces: Pomorskie and Opolskie also take part in the pilot project. So far, over 8,000 have been tested. patients, and almost twice as many received educational materials. Entities willing to cooperate in 2022, please contact the Association - added Tomasz Jan Prycel, Managing Director of the CEESTAHC Association.