2019-07-27
Hepatitis C Elimination Program is a shared national project and a shared national success, Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze stated in his speech at today's presentation of a new campaign, celebrating World Hepatitis Day.
According to the Head of Government, much has been done to turn Georgia into a role model of the fight against hepatitis C.
"July 28 unites us all, a day when the whole world joins forces for the single goal of raising awareness about the actual burden of viral hepatitis. It is a most challenging problem facing mankind in the 21st century. As you know, hepatitis B is already cured with a vaccine, including in Georgia, but the fight against hepatitis C remains a formidable challenge for every country. Georgia, however, is unique in that we are the only country to have implemented a hepatitis C elimination program, one enjoying the status of a nationwide project. I remember well the day it was launched in 2015. We have done a lot to turn Georgia into a role model in the fight against hepatitis C," Mamuka Bakhtadze emphasized.
According to the Prime Minister, in practice other necessary steps have become evident in order to enhance effectiveness, which is why the process of decentralization of the Hepatitis C Program has been launched, so that screening may be available in primary healthcare facilities, and that services may be enjoyed by more people.
"Today hepatitis C testing and treatment are available throughout the country, including in primary healthcare facilities. Importantly, the active integrated program hepatitis C, TB, and HIV screening is in full swing. At this point into the program, it is vitally important to enhance the scope of screening," Mamuka Bakhtadze said.
According to the latest statistics, 1.5 million people have screened for hepatitis C, more than 58,000 have engaged, and 54,000 have successfully completed, treatment under the program.
According to the Head of Government, it is an enormous success closely monitored by partner countries facing the same painful challenges.
"I have personally heard these words from various global leaders, but to ensure the elimination of hepatitis C by 2020, we need further mobilization of society and the authorities, because there remain thousands of those infected who have yet to screen, which means that they are unaware of their status," Mamuka Bakhtadze stated and expressed hope that the planned measures will make it possible to eliminate hepatitis C in Georgia by 2020.
The Prime Minister urged Georgia's population to screen for hepatitis C.
"Along with the medical community and recovered patients present here, I would like to assure everyone that hepatitis C is curable and, most importantly, we have succeeded in uprooting this stigma in Georgian society. I would like to thank everyone engaged in this process since day one. It is very important and we are proud that every branch of government has been actively involved with this project of national importance. I am grateful to civil society for it support for the project since inception. I would like to thank Davit Sergeenko and his team throughout his service as Minister. I am grateful to Eka Tikaradze who, together with her team, has successfully continued the program. I am also thankful to our strategic partner, the United States of America, with whose support we have been able to implement this most important project. Special thanks go to the Gilead pharmaceutical company who has been directly involved in the implementation of the Hepatitis C Elimination Program in Georgia," Mamuka Bakhtadze said.
To celebrate World Hepatitis Day, the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, together with the National Center for Disease Control, is launching You C, a new campaign seeking to make sure that all citizens are aware of their status in relation to hepatitis C. The event was attended by the Speaker of Parliament, Health Minister, MPs, recovered patients, and representatives of the medical community.
Prime Minister's Press Office