Santo Domingo, Ph.D./Health Journal.- The Department of Public Health’s Directorate of Access to High-Cost Medicines (Damac) reported that over the past two years, with government investment, it has provided treatment to more than 1,827 people with hepatitis C. More than 586.4 million RD$.
In her welcome address and presentation on preventing the disease during the celebration of World Hepatitis Day on 28 July, Damac Director Dr. Karen Cepeda explained that the Alto Costo pharmaceutical plans to treat Hepatitis C by 2022 The number of people will reach 1,482, which will exceed 342 this year.
He emphasized that these beneficiaries join more than 16,540 people who have received, on a regular basis and without delay, high-cost drugs from the high-cost drug program, for which President Luis Abinadel’s government has tripled its budget and this year The budget is 8 billion RD dollars.
He explained that each hepatitis C patient was provided with a three-month supply of drugs to treat the disease, worth 321,132 reais, based on the instructions of experts, and invested 586.4 million reais in the past two years , purchased these drugs for 1,827 people who benefited from this treatment. .
He advised citizens to see a specialist if they experienced symptoms such as yellowing of the eyes and skin, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.
He emphasized that high-cost drug programs approve and provide hepatitis C drugs to patients in need in a timely manner.
Dr. Pascal A. Núñez Ramírez, a gastroenterologist, advises that prevention of hepatitis C involves proper disinfection of reusable instruments, such as those used by manicurists, podiatrists and tattoo artists, and replacement of non-reusable instruments. Items, such as needles.
He added that when a person knows they have hepatitis C, it is imperative to take the necessary precautions so that personal tools such as toothbrushes and razors are reserved for their own use only.
He suggested that the public should be tested for hepatitis C frequently, and once found, take timely action to avoid liver damage.
thanks for the program
People like Ramón Ventura and Ninoska Logroño who have benefited from hepatitis C treatment thanked the High Cost Drug Program for donating drugs to treat the disease.
Ventura remembers being born with hepatitis C from a blood transfusion.
He called on everyone to take care of themselves and maintain hygiene to prevent the spread of hepatitis, and regretted the discrimination and rejection experienced by those affected by the disease because they did not know it was not spread by talking and waving.
Dr. Sandra Cabrera, member of the Dominican Society of Gastroenterology, attended a speech celebrating World Hepatitis Day on July 28.