Georgian Govt’s hepatitis B elimination state programme offering free diagnostic, antiviral treatment
The healthcare professional also highlighted the state hepatitis C elimination programme with the Centre, which he said had successfully eliminated chronic hepatitis C with over 86,000 patients. Photo: Nino Alavidze.agenda.ge
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The Tbilisi-based Infectious Diseases and AIDS Centre on Monday announced the launch of a state programme for the elimination of hepatitis B in Georgia, revealing diagnostic studies and antiviral treatments would be free for patients, while antiviral drugs would be made available in the country starting in September.
The institution noted the facility was the “main implementing medical institution” for the programme in the country, with the initiative facilitated by professionals who are members of the clinical and preventive groups for the elimination of viral hepatitis and HIV-AIDS programmes.
The launch comes after Tengiz Tsertsvadze, the head of the Centre, announced the programme in his social media post last month.
He said beneficiaries would be Georgian citizens - including previously undiagnosed individuals - who would be screened for HBsAg. Patients with proven chronic hepatitis B, with both untreated cases or ongoing antiviral therapy, will be included.
Tsertsvadze added individuals with negative HBsAg would be tested for anti-HBc total antibodies and offered hepatitis B vaccination for free within the state immunisation programme in case of negative test results.
The healthcare professional also highlighted the state hepatitis C elimination programme with the Centre, which he said had successfully eliminated chronic hepatitis C with over 86,000 patients.