Gathered around the Ministry of Health, many partners are fighting to eradicate hepatitis from the country.
This Sunday marks World Hepatitis Day. On this occasion, the Ministry of Health and Social Security, in collaboration with the National Service for Infectious Diseases and associative partners, wanted to remind the population of the need to intensify efforts to combat this disease that affects millions of people worldwide.
The Outreach project, initiated in 2022 and funded by the Health Directorate, has made significant progress in screening and treating hepatitis C. In 2023, over 150 screenings were conducted among high-risk populations, three times more than in 2022, identifying and treating individuals within harder-to-reach populations who may not be able to attend hospital consultations.
The acquisition of new rapid diagnostic equipment led to the diagnosis of 50 active cases of hepatitis C requiring treatment. Providing diagnostics and treatments near care centers like Abrigado or Jugend-an Drogenhëllef is crucial for managing at-risk populations, especially women who use drugs, who are particularly vulnerable due to their gender.
«The sexual violence and forced prostitution, without protection, that they sometimes face affect their self-esteem, prevent them from protecting themselves effectively, and also imply a certain difficulty in accessing care,» said the Ministry of Health. A dedicated group has been established at the Abrigado care center where women can meet educators, nurses, social workers, and other women with similar experiences. In 2023, 82 of them benefited from this program. Regular information and awareness campaigns targeting drug users are organized.
Screening for hepatitis C can be done by making an appointment with a general practitioner or any other doctor, visiting the screening consultation at the National Service for Infectious Diseases at CHL where a blood test or rapid test can be prescribed, attending the screening clinic at the HIV-Berodung service of the Luxembourg Red Cross where a rapid test will be offered, at Abrigado and Kontakt Esch where rapid screening is possible along with a diagnosis on certain days only, thanks to the new rapid diagnostic device for active infection, at LGBTIQ+ Cigale where a clinic is held on Thursdays from 12:30 to 14:30.