It is estimated that up to 2.2 million Thais are carriers of hepatitis B, while another 3-800,000 are carriers of the disease.Hepatitis C which most often show no symptoms But it can be transmitted to others through blood contact. intercourse and from mother to son When the hepatitis virus enters the body for a while The body will begin to build up immunity to fight infection. And cause inflammation of the liver. Therefore, blood tests to check the surface of the virus and the level of immunity. This allows physicians to assess the stage of disease that may be an indication for initiating oral antiviral hepatitis. In addition, some patients may have liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Therefore, it should be examined by ultrasound. along with a blood test for liver cancer markers every 6 months
Recognizing the importance of screening and early access to treatment EZ Liver Clinic pilot project at the Center of Excellence in Cancer Phrapokklao Hospital Chanthaburi Province So invite people over 30 years old in Chanthaburi province to add friends in Line Official Account @ppkezliverclinic to register for free blood collection
– Chanthaburi people living in Mueang District You can get a blood test at Cancer Center of Excellence Building, 2nd Floor, Phra Pok Klao Hospital, every Friday from 8.30 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. from Friday 22 July – 30 September 2022.
-(Target 2000 people)
Chanthaburi people living in other districts Blood can be drawn at the Tambon Health Promoting Hospital (PSU) or a hospital near your home from August 1, 2022 onwards, until the test kit runs out. (Target 10,000 people)
Prof. Dr. Phisit Tangkitvanich, MD. President of the Thai Association for the Study of the Liver: THASL said “Most of the causes of liver cancer in Thai people are from hepatitis B and C infection. related to prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment to cover the population thoroughly and equally Therefore, it is an important agenda and is very beneficial to the development of the health care system in Thailand.”
Dr. Thiraphong Tunak, Director of Phra Pok Klao Hospital Chanthaburi Province said, “In the past, we have detected about 100 new cases of liver cancer caused by hepatitis B or C in Chanthaburi every year, and more than 75% are found in the advanced stage. which can not be cured, so if the people at risk Especially those over the age of 30 who came to draw blood and found that they were infected. It can begin to enter the treatment process from the cause of liver cancer. or if found to have liver cancer The EZ Liver Clinic program aims to shorten the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis from 4 months to 4 weeks and liver cancer. Reduce the period from 6 months to only 6 weeks because if you know quickly and treat quickly, there will be a chance to be cured.”
In this regard, Dr. Apirak Phisuthaporn Doctor of Public Health, Chanthaburi Province thanked all parties both public and private sectors Together to make this project happen, “Since 1992, Thailand has started a policy of vaccinating the people with hepatitis. However, the worrying group is people aged 30 years and over, who may be a group with latent hepatitis in the blood because it is during the period that hepatitis B vaccine has not been vaccinated. all newborns Only in Chanthaburi There are 344,038 people aged 30 years and over who may not have been vaccinated, and it is estimated that there is a 15% chance of detecting the infection, or 51,605 people. Therefore, in Phase 1, the EZ Liver Clinic project can be Receive support for 12,000 test kits (from the Center of Specialization in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Faculty of Medicine 10,000 copies from Chulalongkorn University and 2,000 from Roche Diagnostics (Thailand) are the starting points that help support the work of medical personnel to discover about 1,800 patients with hepatitis. Patients have the opportunity to enter the treatment path, therefore, would like to publicize the people in the Chanthaburi area who are over 30 years old to receive a blood test for screening free of charge. At community hospitals and sub-district health promotion hospitals (Hospital Hospital) near home by adding friends in Line OfficialAccount @ppkezliverclinic to assess the risks and find a place where screening can be performed.”
The EZ Liver Clinic pilot program has also been co-operated by the private sector, Roche Diagnostics (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and Roche Thailand Co., Ltd. to help healthcare professionals perform risk assessments. and monitor liver cancer In line with LEAP’s goal of trying to increase the cure rate. and the chance of survival for the patient
Mr. Pichetpong Srisuwankul, Managing Director of Roche Diagnostics (Thailand) Co., Ltd. said, “Roche is very pleased to be a part of this event. to start a project to screen for risk groups Hepatitis B, the main cause of liver cancer, includes screening for liver cancer patients in high-risk groups. It is undeniable that the diagnosis in patients with liver disease is extremely important. More access to diagnostics And the faster the screening innovation is, the faster the patient can access treatment. It also improves the quality of life of patients as well.”
“Roche is committed to working with various agencies. involved Under the LEAP program to drive and enhance the path of care for patients with liver disease and liver cancer in Thailand for this EZ Liver Clinic program, we are very proud to help patients who may still lack awareness of the disease. In the future, the incidence of liver disease in Thailand will be significantly reduced. Liver cancer patients have a longer survival rate and better quality of life,” said Farid Bidgoli, general manager of Roche Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.