Cooperation between all relevant bodies is essential for the prevention, early diagnosis and effective management of viral hepatitis, according to Giannoula Koulla, President of the Cyprus Liver Patients and Friends Association Prometheus.
Koulla was speaking at an educational seminar entitled Hepatitis: From Diagnosis to Treatment, held in Nicosia on Saturday with the participation of primary healthcare physicians.
According to the association, the seminar aimed to strengthen healthcare professionals’ knowledge and training on modern approaches to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis, while highlighting the crucial role played by primary healthcare.
Patients should be at centre of health policy
Koulla said patients must remain at the centre of every health policy, arguing that their experiences and actual needs can contribute substantially to designing and implementing effective policies on prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
She placed particular emphasis on early diagnosis, noting that viral hepatitis can, in many cases, progress without obvious symptoms.
This can lead to delayed diagnosis, with the disease only being identified at a more advanced stage, making the role of primary healthcare particularly important.
“The proper identification of people who need testing, appropriate patient management, timely referral to specialised services and their continuous monitoring can contribute to preventing serious complications and improving patients’ quality of life,” the announcement said.
Tackling stigma surrounding liver disease
Koulla also highlighted the importance of raising public awareness and combating the social stigma that continues to surround liver diseases.
She called on the state, the medical and scientific community and healthcare professionals to work together, while ensuring that patients’ knowledge, experience and voices are included in the dialogue.
Health bodies join seminar
The educational seminar was organised by the Health Ministry in cooperation with the Cyprus Medical Association and the National Committee for the Management of Viral Hepatitis, of which Prometheus is an active member.
The Cyprus Society of General Medicine, Cyprus Society of Personal Doctors and Cyprus Gastroenterology Society were also involved in the initiative.
Source: CNA
