Nicosia, Cyprus. Viral hepatitis remains a “silent epidemic” that can cause serious liver damage before symptoms emerge, Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides said on Friday.
Speaking ahead of World Hepatitis Day on July 28, he said Cyprus was expanding prevention, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment services while seeking to address stigma surrounding the disease.
Prevention and treatment
Charalambides made the remarks at a press conference organised by the liver patients’ association Promitheas.
He said prevention through the national vaccination programme had produced positive results and placed Cyprus among the better-performing European Union countries.
Hepatitis C can now be cured through early diagnosis, he said, while hepatitis D can be cured indirectly through immunisation against hepatitis B.
2030 target
The minister said Cyprus was working towards the World Health Organisation’s goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
He said the health ministry was continuing efforts to improve access to diagnosis, monitoring and treatment.
“No one should hesitate to get tested or seek medical assistance out of fear or prejudice,” Charalambides said, adding that awareness was needed to counter myths and encourage people to protect their health.