World Hepatitis Day Initiatives
The World Hepatitis Alliance supports campaigners and patient organisations around the world to help make a difference to the lives of the millions of people living with viral hepatitis and to prevent new infections. To find out more on what is going on in your country, use the map below to find local organisations, World Hepatitis Day initiatives and other initiatives.
You can also look at our ‘Wall of Stories’ and submit your own personal experience of living with hepatitis or find other community resources including an Online Scrapbook and our latest Newsletters. The This is hepatitis... blog features bloggers from around the world talking about their experiences with hepatitis.
Name:
Org:
Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Abu Dhabi
Type: WHD
United Arab Emirates - WHD 2011
A hepatitis C testing initiative was announced by the Emirates Association at a press conference ahead of World Hepatitis Day. The campaign was held at malls in Abu Dhabi and Dubai with doctors explaining to passersby the importance of early diagnosis. Dr. Salim Al Kathiry from Al Jazeira Hospital and Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi said that “Most of the people affected do not know that they have the virus, and once they are sick ... it might be too late for treatment”.
Although treatment is free in the country, expatriates tend to rely on a limited number of insurance companies or charities for assistance as Abdullah bin Aqeeda Al Muhairy, the Secretary General of the Zakat Fund explained in a statement issued ahead of World Hepatitis Day.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health marked July 28th with a number of health awareness lectures encouraging everyone to follow a health lifestyle. Dr. Mahmood Fikri stated that the Ministry is preparing a number of prevention measures against hepatitis including access to primary lab tests to diagnose hepatitis and vaccinations for all age categories.
On World Hepatitis Day scientific medical experts from the Middle East and North Africa region gathered in Dubai and together announced a consensus statement on the challenges posed by chronic hepatitis C in this region, calling for national and local governments and health care providers to join forces to address this condition.
