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The most effective way to prevent hepatitis is immunoprophylaxis
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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As doctors say, improving sanitation and immunization is the most effective way to fight hepatitis. Therefore, it is desirable that not only newborn babies receive vaccination from hepatitis B, but all children and adolescents under the age of 18 years. In addition, those who for some reason did not get vaccinated should go through the vaccination.
This topic was given special attention to the press conference " Hepatitis : problems and solutions". The press conference was attended by specialists from the Ministry of Health and representatives of the public, including the acting President. Director of the Department of Medicaid of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine A. Tereshchenko, chief freelance specialist of the Ministry of Health in the specialty "Infectious Diseases" O. Golubovskaya, director of the All-Ukrainian public organization "Stop Hepatitis" D. Koval.
On the international market, there are several preparations for vaccination against hepatitis A, which, in terms of protection from the virus and adverse reactions are similar. In chronic hepatitis B, drugs are administered, in particular, interferon, antiviral drugs, which quite effectively help some groups of patients.
As noted by A. Tereshchenko, at present Ukraine has modern clinical protocols for the treatment of such a disease as hepatitis, which fully comply with European standards. In particular, the Unified clinical protocol of primary, secondary (specialized) medical care for adults and children "Viral hepatitis C" was approved, as well as the state target program for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis until 2016. In addition, Ukraine is a participant in the World Health Organization and participated in the program of the WHO Guidelines for Screening, Care and Treatment of Persons with Hepatitis C in April 2014.
According to D. Koval, it is thanks to the Ministry of Health, Ukraine has a program for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis, through which people can receive appropriate treatment. However, there are a number of problematic issues, since, unfortunately, the state is not able to provide all patients with hepatitis at the same time. In particular, it is primarily about patients who need to be treated first of all - at an early or late stage of the disease, as well as questions relating to patients who have received a course of treatment for their state or own account and have not received a positive effect.
D. Koval stressed that under difficult conditions that have developed in Ukraine, the employees of the Ministry of Health are trying to solve the problems at a high level and ensure the program is fully implemented. Also D. Koval stressed that all the protocols approved by the Ministry of Health are in full compliance with international standards and doctors must adhere to them. In turn, patients also need to know about these protocols and seek the help of qualified patients.
According to official data, about 3% of the population is infected in Ukraine, but there are no reliable statistics. Given that there is no large-scale method for identifying persons infected with hepatitis, as well as a hidden epidemiological process, most experts believe that the spread of hepatitis C in Ukraine can reach 9%.