Get free tests for hepatitis B and C, people urged after coverage pledge

By The Nation

 

Rattaphon Triamwichanon, assistant to the NHSO secretary-general, is encouraging people to take advantage of the screening initiative.

 

People have been urged to get free screening for hepatitis B and C at hospitals nationwide after the National Health Security Office (NHSO) confirmed that the universal healthcare scheme covered treatments for the diseases.

 

 

The tests will be provided at 79 hospitals from August 5-9, an official of NHSO said on Friday.

 

The NHSO secretary-general's assistant, Dr Rattaphon Triamwichanon, said the free screening was being jointly held by the NHSO, the Public Health Ministry's Department of Disease Control (DDC), and the Thai Association for the Study of the Liver to mark World Hepatitis Day, which is observed every July 28.

 

Rattaphon also confirmed that the universal healthcare scheme covered the screening for hepatitis B among pregnant women, the treatments of those diagnosed with it and the vaccine against hepatitis B for children. The scheme coverage of hepatitis C was only for those deemed in high risk groups such as drug abusers and those receiving the HIV-screening test, he said. For more information about the upcoming campaign, people can call the DDC hotline 1422.

 

According to the World Health Organisation, viral hepatitis B and C have affected 325 million people worldwide and cause 1.4 million deaths a year. Being the second major killer infectious disease after tuberculosis, hepatitis is preventable, treatable, and in the case of hepatitis C, curable, the organisation said. However, over 80 per cent of people living with hepatitis are lacking prevention, testing and treatment services.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30374139

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-08-03

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All people free? Farang too?

get free vaccinations also ?  minor side effects ???? lol ... look up yourself before you commit

8 hours ago, legend49 said:

All people free? Farang too?

 

No...unless covered under Thai Social Security or (through a spouse or child) the Civil Servcie SS.

 

It is free for those covered under obe of Thailand's 3 components of universal health care.

 

Most farangs have to pay full cost.