An important initiative underway
The city of Alcoi has incorporated its efforts into a campaign that is being developed in twenty Spanish cities, all committed to the eradication of viral hepatitis. This action arises within the framework of World Viral Hepatitis Day.
The #HepCityFree program
Alcoi has joined forces with the #HepCityFree initiative, where more than ten previously undiagnosed cases of hepatitis C have been identified and treated. This is particularly relevant given that hepatitis can remain asymptomatic for a long period, making early detection difficult.
The importance of early detection
Through this campaign we aim to carry out awareness-raising activities and look for those people who may be living with this disease without knowing it. Although Spain is at the forefront worldwide in terms of the number of treatments administered and people cured in relation to its population, hepatitis C continues to be a serious problem, causing four deaths a week in the country.
Expert opinions
Javier García-Samaniego, who coordinates the Alliance for the Elimination of Viral Hepatitis in Spain, said that “with 188 deaths a year resulting from hepatitis C, we cannot consider ourselves satisfied; this is equivalent to almost 10% of deaths in traffic accidents, which are also preventable.”
The role of Carmelo Gómez
With the purpose of raising awareness about this silent disease, actor Carmelo Gómez has been chosen, who overcame hepatitis C. Through an educational advertisement, Gómez shares his personal experience of having been infected through a blood transfusion, something common before measures were implemented to avoid this route of contagion in the 1990s.
Overcoming experience
The actor spoke about how he attended to give blood and was informed that he could not do so due to liver disease in his body. Initially, he tried to ignore his situation until he began experiencing symptoms, prompting him to seek medical attention. His treatment had severe side effects and was not guaranteed to cure the condition; Everything changed with the development of direct-acting antivirals, which were of great help in his recovery.
The effectiveness of current treatment
Today, diagnosed patients have the advantage of having very effective treatments, which are almost guaranteed in 100% of cases. Thus, early identification of hepatitis C becomes crucial to prevent irreversible liver damage.
Detection strategies in Alcoi
In Alcoi, the #HepCityFree program has facilitated collaboration between various health and social entities in the area. A micro-elimination plan has been implemented that includes the review of medical databases, rapid tests to detect new cases and immediate treatment in specialized health centers.
Significant results
Thanks to this initiative, approximately 2,000 individuals have been contacted, resulting in the identification and treatment of 12 cases of hepatitis C at the Mare de Déu dels Lliris Hospital in Alcoi. Since 2015, Spain has treated and cured nearly 170,000 patients, positioning itself as one of the leading countries in this fight.
A persistent challenge
Despite progress, hepatitis C continues to be responsible for the loss of four lives each week in the country. The Ministry of Health indicated in 2018 that the prevalence of this infection was 0.22%, and it is currently estimated to be less than 0.1%.
The road to eradication
With the aim of eradicating hepatitis C, Spain is in a privileged position, with the possibility of becoming one of the first developed countries to eliminate this public health problem. As Javier García-Samaniego indicates, to win this battle requires a real commitment to public health policies that guarantee the treatment and care of at-risk groups, as well as efforts in diagnosis, prevention and measurement of the disease.
Conclusion
The union of cities like Alcoi in the fight against hepatitis C is a vital step to achieve the elimination of this disease, and the collaboration of all sectors is essential to achieve this goal. Awareness-raising, early diagnosis and access to effective treatments are key to changing the lives of thousands of people affected by this pathology.