Dubai: Free testing for hepatitis C is being offered to UAE residents by the nation wide C-voucher 2010 campaign. Around 50,000 vouchers for free testing will be distributed across Dubai, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in order to encourage UAE citizens to undergo regular testing for hepatitis C.
"These vouchers will be valid to use in specific labs in several emirates. This initiative came in order to promote the idea of testing, especially for a chronic disease such as hepatitis C.
"We wish to raise awareness amongst both the public and health care givers," said Dr Adnan Abu Hammour, President of the Emirates Medical Association, G.I. Division.
Infections
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects around 180 million people worldwide, with the World Health Organisation estimating around three to four million people getting infected annually.
HCV infects four times more people than HIV and can lead to death over the course of 20 years.
According to experts in Emirates Medical Association, 30 per cent of people in the UAE with hepatitis C don't know that they are infected for lack of regular testing.
The lack of awareness contributed greatly in complicating the problem.
