The first micro-elimination of hepatitis C was launched in Canelones Prison, the first experience of its kind in a prison in the country. This is carried out within the framework of the Canelones-Uruguay Hepatitis C Elimination Campaign, which targets the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030.
Aracelis Delgado, director of the city’s Health Department, reported that an agreement was signed with Spain a year and a half ago to eliminate Canelones hepatitis. In this sense, he explained that measures have been taken to eradicate hepatitis C, such as “the inclusion of studies in driving licenses, the Canary Health Mobile Phone and the creation of a working group between the University of the Republic and the Hepatitis C Center Group”. Association and the municipality,” according to the director, who contacted the Canelones prison through the Health Directorate, “we were able to test 1,500 people who were deprived of their liberty and wanted to be tested. ” Furthermore, Delgado reported that the process will consist of three phases, in which the Canelones government will provide rapid testing, Udelal will conduct surveillance, and if a case is confirmed, the Hepatitis C Association will provide support and containment , and they will also ensure that the correct treatment is followed.
Victoria Izquierdo, president of Uruguay’s Hepatitis C Community Association, said the reality in the country was “sad because there is no health policy to address the problem” because “it is the only infection” that currently has a cure method for the virus, but despite what we have, very few people have access to a cure. ” He highlighted the work carried out by the Municipality of Canelones on this issue, ensuring “for the first time micro-elimination in prisons in our country”.
Meanwhile, Santiago Medina, a member of the Canelones prison health team, reported that they had started testing 290 people deprived of their liberty, and it was an active day, “in “With the consent of the entire prison population, there were no complications and we were able to successfully conduct testing” and reduce the prison population by a quarter in one day. “
Dr. Nelia Hernandez, Chair of Pharmacology and Gastroenterology, emphasized the goal of eradicating hepatitis C by 2030. “This is a very difficult task, a huge challenge, and if we don’t detect and diagnose, we won’t be able to treat and cure hepatitis C.” Cure anyone who has hepatitis. We have very good treatments that can cure more than 95% of cases. “
In conclusion, Silvana Nieves, Acting Secretary General of the City of Canelones, said, “November is the month when we Canarians want to say: our rights are growing and in this framework Within, a number of activities were carried out, among which “the work teams that continue to legitimize rights in different areas were commended and recognized.” ” In this sense, he stressed, for the Canelones government the prison is just another city whose population sometimes exceeds that of some of the Canary Islands. “We therefore feel proud and satisfied to know that Even though they are deprived of their liberty, they are citizens with all semblance of rights, and we have interdisciplinary and interagency teams that think and care emotionally and I work for the rights of all our citizens,” Nieves stressed.