By Dr Kashif Riaz | Program Manager
2nd Report:
Treatment Update September 2017.
By Dr Laila Rizvi/Dr Kashif Riaz - Project Leader
Globally, approximately 71 million people are chronically infected with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). If the number of people living with hepatitis remains at the current high levels for the next 40-50 years, it is estimated that a cumulative 20 million deaths will occur between 2015 and 2030; therefore a stepped-up global, regional and national response can no longer be delayed.
Pakistan has a high disease burden with maximum morbidity and mortality in Hepatitis B & CHBV and HCV are major public health threats in Pakistan. Recognizing the enormity of the problem and working towards achieving the WHO global elimination targets by 2030, Pakistan has also developed its National Hepatitis Strategic Framework (NHSF) for Hepatitis response 2017-2021 through a participatory process in which THF was also a key member. Treatment is one of the key components of this National strategy.
THF is already working in accordance to the NHSF and is providing free treatment to non-affording patients to bring down the prevalence and incidence of Hepatitis in Pakistan. A project to support the treatment for 1000 patients was pledged on global giving. The details to date of this support are:
1) A total of 457 patients have been registered for Hepatitis C.
2) Out of which 237 patients have completed have completed their treatment of 6 months for HCV.
3) SVR* is done for 96 patients 95 are negative only 1 person came out to be positive. (99% success rate of treatment)
4) 214 patients are still on treatment.
5) 6 patients dropped out of treatment/follow-up without any specific reason hence they have been added to the exclusion criteria.
6) SVR of the remaining patients is due after October.
*A final HCV RNA (PCR test) is done at 12 weeks or 24 weeks after the completion of the full 6 months regime of oral direct acting anti-viral. (DAA's). If this final test comes out to be negative then it means the patients is cured and is free from Hepatitis C.
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