On June 6, 2022 at Bamrasnaradura Institute, Nonthaburi Province, Mr.Anutin Charnvirakul Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health presided over the launch of a pilot project to increase access to antiviral drugs to treat chronic hepatitis C in 2022 (Test and Treat)antiviraland screening kits for hepatitis C infection to the provincial governor and local government organizations participating in the operation in the area of Nonthaburi Province
Mr. Anutin said Hepatitis B and C are the leading causes of hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. affecting the society and economy of Thailand Even with oral antiviral drugs Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir high efficiency Take only 12 weeks can treatHepatitis C to be completely cured of 93-100 percent, registered in the National Essential Drug List, List J2 But there is still a problem with infected people who still have no access to medicines. Between 2018 and 2021, only 14,503 people were infected with the drug because the drug regimen does not cover all patients, such as the viral load limit must be greater than 5,000 IU/ml and the infected person must be under the age of 70. including prescribing medicines must be a physician specializing in gastroenterology or an internist who works in gastroenterology which is not available in every hospital
Mr. Anutin said that the National Health Security Office (NHSO)NHSO.) and the National Drug System Development Board Accelerate the amendment of the rules Conditions that impede access to medicines and provideDepartment of Disease Controltogether with the Department of Medicine, Department of Health and the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health Accelerate the development of the potential of general practitioners in community hospitals Develop the examination and treatment system of all hospitals to be ready to treat patients in hospitals near their homes. with a doctor in the provincial hospital taking care of the consultation National Communicable Disease Committee Therefore, it was resolved to approve the Department of Disease Control to proceed. “A pilot project to increase access to antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C with the Test and Treat method.” in order for the infected person to receive ART as soon as possible following the diagnosis is confirmed The Department of Disease Control has set up a pilot project in four provinces, namely Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Nonthaburi, to help all infected people get treatment. quick access to medicines without conditions
On the side of Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong Director-General of the Department of Disease Control said Department of Disease Control supports hepatitis C screening kits, reagents to confirm infection and support antiviral drugsto hospitals and network partners participating in the project by piloting atBamrasnaradura Institute Today is considered the starting point for coordinating the policy of cooperation between network partners, with local authorities working together, including Nonthaburi City Municipality. Bang Kruai Municipality Bang Khu Rat Municipality Pak Kret Municipality Bang Len Subdistrict Municipality and Sai Noi Subdistrict Municipality will join the screening for infected people with hospitals in the area, including Phranangklao Hospital Bang Kruai Hospital Bang Bua Thong Hospital Pak Kret Hospital Bangyai Hospital and Sai Noi Hospital Under the support of the Provincial Public Health Office and the 6 district health offices that will work together to build an effective treatment system for chronic hepatitis C in Nonthaburi province. by the form of service arrangement will allow district hospitals and trained general doctors to be able to dispense medicines And on April 20, 2022, a memorandum of understanding was signed on cooperation in eliminating hepatitis between the Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Interior To push for cooperation in the operation in the country further.
