Aiming Towards Hepatitis C Virus Elimination in Greece

Overview

Journal Ann Gastroenterol

Specialty Gastroenterology

Date 2019 Jul 3

PMID 31263353

Citations 5

Authors

George V Papatheodoridis

John Goulis

Vana Sypsa

Christos Lionis

Spilios Manolakopoulos

Ioannis Elefsiniotis

Olga Anagnostou

Christos Tsoulas

Angelos Hatzakis

George N Dalekos

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

There are estimated to be 74,000-134,000 patients living with chronic hepatitis C in Greece, but only 20-30% of them are aware of their disease status. In July 2017, the Hellenic National Plan for Hepatitis C was announced in alignment with the World Health Organization goals for the eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) by the year 2030. This article discusses the epidemiology and current treatment of chronic hepatitis C in Greece. Additionally the authors propose actions on how to bring back to care diagnosed patients lost to follow up, optimize access to care for HCV-infected people who inject drugs, and increase HCV screening in the general population. The medical community in Greece can play a pivotal role in the implementation of the HCV National Plan and in the efforts to reach the goal of HCV elimination.

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