PLAFHC Fights Hepatitis C

The Salamanca Hepatitis C Patient Platform was born in 2005 to make available treatments available to all patients. Access to new treatments for all those affected by the disease and subsequent implementation of the Strategic Plan for Approaches to Hepatitis C (PEAHC) is critical. They have achieved it.

Hepatitis C is not spread by direct contact; youTouching, hugging, sharing the same drink or even sharing a plate of food will not affect the spread of the virus. The hepatitis C virus is mainly spread through blood, contact with virus-infected skin or mucous membranes, and blood.
For more than a decade, World Hepatitis Day has been celebrated on July 28, which coincides with the birthday of Dr. Baruch Samuel Blumberg, the discoverer of the hepatitis B virus.

In 2005, the platform tour began in Salamanca. As they recall, “we were starting to discover a drug that could cure hepatitis C”. Prior to this, the patient had received “very tough” treatments such as Sovaldi and interferon ribavirin. “It was a very severe treatment, and many had to be interrupted because, in addition to producing physical pain, it affected the nervous system level, and some attempted suicide,” he recalls, describing it as “terrible Drug”. Apart from, High side effects and low chance of cure

. “We wanted to put that behind us and start taking the new one, because it has pretty low side effects and is actually a 100 percent cure for hepatitis C.” However, they weren’t getting a prescription for the drug, “and we don’t know Why.”

In this sense, they explain from the platform After questioning, they found out that “the problem was with the pharmaceutical companies. They started giving droppers to people who already had very severe liver disease, advanced cirrhosis,” they recall. “We want this treatment to be available to everyone, and especially for those who have had initial treatment, to be able to get to it sooner, so they don’t have to go through all the stages until they reach cirrhosis to get drug treatment.” That was a years-long struggle , meetings, and the years of complaining in the streets. Some listening is finally being heard.

But they didn’t end there. In Salamanca, there is also no scanner, an instrument used to detect and see the condition of the liver., a scanner called Fiberscam. “It was obtained through persistence, but now there are already in the hospital,” they said.

But his battle didn’t end there. In addition to providing treatment for all patients, they are requiring screening of the population because many people do not know how they became infected.

In this sense, andLast year 2022, the city of Salamanca became part of a Hepatitis C Free City campaign called #hepCityFree. In their presentation, they told the meeting that through this merger “our technical and human resources” could be made available to the network to advance the detection of undiagnosed cases, facilitate early diagnosis and treatment, and avoid new infection to eliminate. Diseases of Spain.

They’re emphasizing these screenings, especially primary care screenings, on their platform. “When you do the analysis, that’s what we’re commenting on, they already have a profile of the population at risk. We believe that when a person is going to do the analysis, it’s advisable that they also have this test, which is currently in the same Extraction is very fast, so they can diagnose any case that might be there,” they emphasize. Selective screening of high-risk populations and follow existing bifurcations.

About 100 people have become part of the platform. “People don’t want to show up. They’re scared, they call you, they don’t want people to see because a lot of people want us to face society. Because of the lack of information, people thought the disease only affected drug users, and it was hard to prove otherwise,” they explain. To control, many people may be infected, such as going to get vaccinated. “

Currently they are still running, but less active, “because fortunately, all of our claims have come to fruition,” they said. Although they remember it as “a long struggle that went on for a long time.” Over the years, we have achieved our goals day in and day out. What we have done and will continue to do in a completely selfless manner, because the Salamanca platform refuses to accept aid”.

With the new treatment, “there might be some side effects, but they’re minimal now, and the cure rate is almost 100 percent.” There are different treatments on the market today, and each time we get closer to eradicating hepatitis C, which is the main goal.