National Committee launches viral hepatitis university awareness campaign

The session featured members of the National Committee and a host of high-profile speakers including: Dr Hamdy El Sayed, Head of the Doctors' Syndicate; Dr Ahmed Nassar, Dean of Ain Shams Faculty of Medicine; Sheikh Mohamed Wessam, on behalf of the nation's Mufti; and Helwan and Maasara Bishop Basanti. The session also featured celebrity speakers including renowned journalist Khairy Ramadan and star celebrity Amr Waked.

'We're very happy to launch awareness in universities as part of the intensive efforts we're implementing over the next four years,' said Dr Wahid Doss. 'The enthusiastic response we've received shows that raising awareness is key to tackling viral hepatitis in Egypt, mainly HBV and HCV. University outreach will preliminarily be implemented in Ain Shams, Tanta, and Al Menia Universities with plans for nation-wide rollout underway.'

The campaign focuses on HBV vaccination, which was included in the mandatory vaccination schedule for infants as of 1992. 'We're happy to be able to provide free HBV vaccination for final-year medical school students who represent one of the key high-risk groups. All other students will be entitled to receive discounted vaccination,' said Dr Manal El Sayed. 'Addressing viral hepatitis is a community effort. HBV and HCV affect all of us and everyone has a role to play. We're very happy that Orascom Telecom, the EFG Foundation, and Vacsera have accepted this challenge and contributed to the University Awareness Campaign.

In addition, John Hopkins University, Communications for Healthy Living (CHL), the USAID as well as a number of pharmaceutical companies have contributed funding and helped develop awareness material. Such community participation and support helps make our efforts possible.'

National Committee members revealed that the results of an ongoing survey on HBV and HCV prevalence in Egypt will be released later this year. 'This survey is a cornerstone of the Committee's efforts to design and implement a prevention plan that effectively addresses viral hepatitis in Egypt,' said Dr Moustafa Kamal, 'Outlining the burden of the disease is essential to defining the solution. We need to have a clear and current perspective on the extent of HBV and HCV prevalence so we can focus our efforts and better allocate our resources. Undoubtedly, preventing new cases of infection is critical to curtailing the disease, especially since current treatments are expensive.'

'Reaching youth is one of the main campaign targets. Youth are the next generation and they accept knowledge more readily, are willing to change their habits, and are capable of influencing other segments of society. Youth are also enthusiastic and committed to participating in work that betters their community,' said Dr Gamal Esmat. He also emphasized the importance of understanding the modes of viral hepatitis transmission. 'We need to avoid sharing all personal equipment that might have come in direct contact with body fluids and not only those that could be contaminated by blood. While HCV is transmitted via blood, HBV can be more easily transmitted via other body fluids as well.'

Dr Esmat also highlighted the importance of screening and infection control. 'Screening is essential to limit the spread of HBV and HCV. It could help families discover they have an infected member and prevent further infections in the household. It is also critical to ensure that healthcare providers have standard procedures of infection control in place,' Dr. Esmat continued, 'everyone should be aware of how to protect themselves and understand how viral hepatitis is transmitted.'

The university campaign will span two weeks and includes: a series of workshops, HBV vaccinations, a sports league between different Ain Shams University faculties, and kiosks located in popular areas across the campus where volunteers will distribute awareness messages. The campaign culminates with a closing musical ceremony and a session featuring high-profile celebrity speakers underlining the campaign's message.