Personal doctors key to early detection of hepatitis B and C, minister says

Nicosia, Cyprus. Personal doctors have a key role in detecting hepatitis B and C early, Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides said on Saturday. Speaking at an educational seminar, he said the challenge was to shorten the time it takes for new medical methods and treatments to reach patients.

Advances in prevention and treatment

Addressing the seminar “Hepatitis: From Diagnosis to Treatment”, Charalambides highlighted scientific advances that have improved diagnosis and management of the diseases.

He said a safe and effective vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis B, while treatments can control chronic hepatitis B and reduce the risk of serious complications. Modern antiviral treatments cure more than 95 per cent of hepatitis C cases, he said.

Identifying undiagnosed patients

Charalambides warned that chronic hepatitis B and C infections can remain without obvious symptoms for long periods, leaving people who could benefit from monitoring or treatment undiagnosed.

Personal doctors can help close that gap through regular contact with patients and knowledge of their medical histories, he said. Assessing risk factors and laboratory findings, identifying signs that require further investigation and making timely referrals can decisively affect how a case progresses, he added.

The seminar was jointly organised by the health ministry’s medical and public health services, the Cyprus Medical Association, the Cyprus Society of Gastroenterology, the Cyprus Society of General Medicine and the Cyprus Society of Personal and Family Doctors.