Together with the introduction of a new treatment scheme for patients with chronic hepatitis and viral hepatic cirrhosis B, C and D, nearly 4,000 people received treatment last year, while another almost 2,400 persons continue the antiviral treatment, IPN reports.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection, the new treatment scheme, with last-generation medicines, essentially diminished the costs for antiviral drugs and significantly increased the treatment results, with an efficiency of 97% treated patients. The treatment is accessible to patients from all the country’s districts and municipalities. Medical statistics show the patient is treated with such drugs in 8-12 weeks, as opposed to one year earlier, when the efficiency was under 40%.

The hepatitis morbidity index in Moldova decreased considerably, but continues to be higher than in the European countries. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection calls on all the persons with viral hepatitis to see an infectious disease physician to have their state of health reassessed. A specialized commission will communicate the date when the free antiviral treatment will start and the treatment scheme. To prevent viral hepatitis B, the population is provided with free vaccines.

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver tissue. Among the most common cause of hepatitis worldwide are viruses, heavy alcohol use, certain medications, toxins, other infections, autoimmune diseases. There are five main types of viral hepatitis: type A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A and E are mainly spread by contaminated food and water. Hepatitis B is mainly sexually transmitted, but may also be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth. Both hepatitis B and C are commonly spread through infected blood such as may occur during needle sharing by intravenous drug users. Hepatitis D can only infect people already infected with hepatitis B.