The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched many awareness campaigns throughout the year to promote the early detection of hepatitis, especially in conjunction with the World Hepatitis Day, which is marked on July 28 of every year according to the World Health Organization ((WHO).
The ministry's campaigns, which usually provide free medical examinations and witness the distribution of awareness leaflets on ways of transmission, prevention methods, diagnosis and treatment option, aim to enhance citizens and residents' awareness on the risks of hepatitis (A, B and C).
The ministry's annual campaign goes in line with WHO's 2030 Hepatitis B&C targets which include 90% reduction in new cases of chronic hepatitis B and C, and treatment of 80% of eligible persons with chronic hepatitis B and C infections as well as reducing 65% of deaths due to viral hepatitis by 2030.
This, as the ministry stressed, can be done through raising awareness, strengthening partnerships and resources, formulating evidence-based policies and data, developing prevention plans and programs, and expanding screening, care and treatment services.
Unifying Efforts
The ministry reaffirmed its keenness to adopt the latest treatment practices and protocols globally and provide continuous rehabilitation for healthcare providers including medical and technical personnel by introducing them to the latest methods of diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
The ministry also stressed that in coordination with private and public health authorities, it pursues the best preventive policies to reduce the spread of diseases, adding that the official statistics highlights that the UAE is one of the least developed countries in the incidence of this type of disease, and provides free treatment for its citizens.
Realizing the National Agenda goals 2021
The Ministry said it is working tirelessly to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable health coverage for the entire community and to implement its strategy to provide comprehensive and integrated health care services based on innovative and sustainable methods. This is to ensure the prevention of disease and build quality and safety systems according to sophisticated performance indicators while adhering to global competitiveness standards, so as to achieve the National Agenda goals 2021 and establish a global health system.