HSP, hospitals roll out free Hepatitis B and C screening on July 28
Manila, Philippines – The Hepatology Society of the Philippines (HSP), the lead organization of physicians who focus on liver health, will be holding a public event featuring lay fora on viral hepatitis, free hepatitis screening and consultations, as well as fun activities on July 28 in celebration of the World Hepatitis Day.
The healthcare initiative will run from 10AM to 2PM at the Tutuban Center Mall, as well as in participating hospitals all over the country.
World Hepatitis Day is one of the eight global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization, celebrated annually by its over 100 membercountries. For its part, HSP encourages its constituents to observe World Hepatitis Day in their respective regions, together with many who support the World Hepatitis Alliance.
The global theme for this year’s World Hepatitis Day is “Find the missing millions”, referring to the many undiagnosed with this disease who need to seek consultation before complications arise. More information about this campaign is posted on worldhepatitisday.org.
At present, there are approximately 300 million people living with viral hepatitis worldwide. In the Philippines, about 10 million Filipinos are estimated to carry the Hepatitis B virus, while about 600,000 are infected with Hepatitis C.
“Being part of the at-risk population in a country like the Philippines, the public is encouraged to take the hepatitis B testing and screening for other types of hepatitis. We also strongly recommend hepatitis vaccination (for Hepatitis A and B) as a preventive measure. If we do not find and treat the undiagnosed, more people will suffer and lives will continue to be lost,”HSP President Dr. Jade Jamias shares.
Raising awareness with art and advocacy
Apart from its World Hepatitis Day initiative, as well as continuing workshops for healthcare providers and lay people, HSP is also set to host its second benefit gala night, dubbed as The Liver Benefit Gala 2018, on November 6 at the Manila Polo Club as a fundraiser for its liver health awareness programs. The organization invites patrons and art lovers to join them in this event for a night of good food, music and entertainment, and participate in the silent and live art auction.
“We need to sustain our awareness-raising programs in order for people to be informed of their vulnerabilities and importance of liver health. We look at the liver benefit gala as an opportunity for other sectors of the society to contribute to the protection of people from chronic liver diseases. We want to be able to create avenues for people to become advocates themselves and to champion the cause for liver health,” Dr. Jamias adds.
Last year, HSP held its B-Aware Gala Night, which helped fund a multimedia campaign to promote Hepatitis B awareness in the Philippines. HSP’s B Aware website and facebook page (www.beawareph.com and www.facebook.com/BeAwarePH) are online resources that HSP continues to maintain to give the public reliable resources and advice on hepatitis B. It is hoped that HSP can expand its campaign to include other liver-related diseases in the future.
###
The Hepatology Society of the Philippines is a non-governmental organization that provides research, education, and advocacy on liver health and liver-related diseases. It is the only liver society recognized by the Philippine Medical Association, Philippine College of Physicians, Philippine Society of Gastroenterology and Philippine Society of Digestive Endoscopy. For further information, visit www.hsp.org.ph.
