MOH reviews national strategy to prevent all types of hepatitis cases
Liver cancer fifth cause of death among male Kuwaitis: WHO report
By Marwa Al-Bahrawi
KUWAIT CITY, July 27: Undersecretary of Health Dr Khaled Al-Sahlawi disclosed that the ministry is reviewing a national strategy to prevent all types of hepatitis and deal with cases in coordination with health sector.
He added the national strategy will be guided by the recommendations of World Health Organization. According to Kuwait Center for Cancer Treatment, 27 cases of liver cancer was recorded among men and 8 cases among women respectively, which constituted 9.4 percent and 1.5 percent in that order in 2012.
On the sidelines of event marking International Day for Hepatitis on July 28, Al-Sahlawi said liver cancer is the fifth cause of death among the male Kuwaitis and it represents 8.7 percent of mortality, according to WHO reports for 2014.
Al-Sahlawi pointed out that the national strategy includes all types of hepatitis but focuses on hepatitis B and C as they are more dangerous and relatively high. The strategy includes vaccination and treatment of chronic infection.
He added the Ministry of Health vaccinates workers in the medical service for free, while following needed precautions to prevent the infection inside hospitals.
He noted the disease is tested at the pre-marital examination centers, noting the ministry is keen on following up places where hepatitis B and C infection is prevalent.