Korean Government Considers National Hepatitis C Screening
Kim Ji-hyun | October 6, 2021 | The Daily Herald
The Korean Liver Association’s initiative to introduce national hepatitis C screening, which began in 2017, is set to reach its final conclusion in November. The decision, currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, will have significant implications for public health in the country.
One of the key factors for inclusion in the national health audit is cost-effectiveness, and this requirement has been met. The society aims to emphasize the severity of this infectious disease and its societal impact through a comprehensive domestic prevalence survey.
Hepatitis C is transmitted through the blood or body fluids of infected individuals, and it can affect normal individuals through damaged skin or mucous membranes. The diagnosis and treatment of this disease are crucial.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare is evaluating the potential benefits of national hepatitis C screening based on the research conducted by the Society for the Study of the Liver.
Although there is no preventive vaccine, oral antiviral drugs can be used for 8 to 16 weeks for recovery. Early screening and treatment of infected individuals play a vital role in preventing the further spread of the disease.
The urgency to introduce national hepatitis C screening arose following a group infection incident at a hospital in November 2015. Despite the efforts, significant progress has not been achieved in curbing the disease.
The Liver Science Society advocates for the implementation of national screening, as hepatitis C is a leading cause of liver cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and the primary cause of death among the productive age group.
In order to qualify for the national health examination, a prevalence rate of 5% or more must be met.
“The Ministry of Health and Welfare has not yet made a decision regarding the inclusion of national hepatitis C screening,” stated an official from the Society for the Study of the Liver.
The official further explained, “While the two previous pilot projects did not meet the prevalence standard, our association has been collecting prevalence data and conducting our own analysis, considering the current context. We will submit our findings to the Ministry of Health.”
According to the association’s examination of foreign workers in Korea from 2011 to 2015, the positive rate of hepatitis C antibodies reached 3 to 10%.
“From the association’s perspective, we believe this year represents a critical juncture as we have exhausted all available options,” stated a Liver Association official. They added, “Temporary adjustment and replacement of hepatitis have been proposed as interventions, but it seems they are not currently under review.”
Given the World Health Organization’s goal of eradicating hepatitis C by 2030 and the emphasis on universal testing by major American societies and academic institutions, there is growing momentum for the institutionalization of national hepatitis C screening in Korea. Nevertheless, challenges still lie ahead.
The decision to include national hepatitis C screening, which began in 2017 under the leadership of the Korean Liver Association, is expected to reach a final conclusion in November.
As the cost-effectiveness, which is a component requirement to be included in the national health audit, has been met, the society intends to highlight the severity of the disease and the relationship between social impact through a domestic prevalence survey .
According to the medical community on the 3rd, it is expected that the Ministry of Health and Welfare will make a final decision in November on whether to include the national examination for hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C is a type of infectious disease that is transmitted by the blood or body fluids of patients infected with the hepatitis C virus through damaged skin or mucous membranes of normal people. Diagnosis and treatment are important .
The Ministry of Health and Welfare is reviewing whether or not national hepatitis C screening should be included based on the results of research services carried out by the Society for the Study of the Liver.
There is no preventive vaccine, but oral antiviral drugs can be used for about 8 to 16 weeks to recover. Above all, early screening and treatment of infected people is effective in preventing the spread.
Awareness of the need to introduce national hepatitis C screening was triggered by the group infection in a hospital in November 2015, but there has been no significant benefit to date.
The Liver Science Society insisted on national screening as hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death and the leading cause of death in the productive age group.
In order to be included in the national health examination, the ‘prevalence rate of 5% or more’ must be met.
“The Ministry of Health and Welfare has not yet made a decision on whether to include national hepatitis C screening or not,” said an official from the Society for the Study of the Liver.
He said, “The two previous pilot projects fell short of the prevalence standard, but the association is collecting prevalence data and conducting its own analysis based on the view that it is somewhat distant from the current point in time .” We will submit it to the Ministry of Health,” he explained.
As a result of the association’s examination of foreign workers in Korea between 2011 and 2015, the positive rate of hepatitis C antibodies reached 3 to 10%.
An official from the Liver Association said, “From the association’s point of view, I think this year is the last year because we have tried everything we can.” Temporary adjustment and replacement of hepatitis was proposed as an intervention, but it does. It doesn’t appear to be under review.”
He said, “If you look at the WHO declaration of conquering hepatitis C by 2030 and the emphasis on universal testing by major American societies and academic societies, I think the atmosphere for institutionalization in Korea is ripe.” I know you’re struggling,” he added.
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