The HCV Elimination Plan will be launched in the two-day symposium, which will involve different stakeholders such as civil society, government institutions, partners and the public.
The launch will allow the Government of Rwanda to present Rwanda’s achievements and progress in addressing viral hepatitis; to announce the recent introduction of rapid diagnosis tests (RDTs) for screening in the country; to disseminate viral hepatitis studies on HCV treatment cure rate, to raise awareness of the viral hepatitis and further strengthen progress towards HCV elimination through nation-wide messages for general awareness will be broadcasted through press releases, television and radio advertisements; and to reinforce partnership advocacy for action to mobilize resources to eliminate HCV in Rwanda.
Live talks will also be held, where the general audience from Rwamagana, Huye, Musanze and Rusizi will have the opportunity to ask questions to experts present at the convention center.
Hepatitis C is one of the world’s most common infectious diseases, where more than 71 million people worldwide are chronically infected. It has a very high prevalence with 1.7 million new cases each year, as well as a high morbidity and mortality causing 400,000 deaths each year, and most of its burden falls mainly on low or middle-income countries.
The prevalence of HCV in Rwanda is not well documented but recent campaigns showed a prevalence of 8% among people aged 15 and above, and 15% among people aged 45 and above.
To address this issue, the Rwandan Government has prioritized viral hepatitis since 2011, by establishing a hepatitis unit under RBC, installing a screening and viral load platform, and introduced Directly Acting Antivirals (DAAs).
The government also further negotiated with private health insurers and Global Fund to cover HCV diagnosis and treatment. DAAs were introduced to referral hospitals in 2015. The government also trained 110 licensed physician specialists in HCV and decentralized HCV treatment to 48 facilities nationwide. 700,000 individuals were screened for Hepatitis C, and among them 9000 received treatment. To scale up the work that has already been done, the national hepatitis program designed a five-year HCV elimination plan. (End)