Spain is a leading country in the approach to viral hepatitis, thanks to the strategic plan for the approach to hepatitis C, which has treated more than 161,000 patients with a cure rate of approximately 95%. However, these infections remain a global health problem, where early diagnosis, active search for patients and their subsequent treatment are essential to achieve the WHO’s objectives for 2030. Actively at the Hepatology Innovation Conference on the different methods and tools needed to achieve this challenge, as well as on approaches to other liver diseases such as EHMET (metabolic liver disease), PBC (primary biliary cholangitis) or NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) is discussed, which is promoted by the University of Seville, Société Andalusian Institute of Digestive. Pathology (SAPD) and Gilead Sciences.
These conferences have been included under the framework of the V US-SAPD-GS Hepatology Research Chair, which has been established in 2017 for the management of liver diseases and eradication of viral hepatitis with a multidisciplinary approach, comprehensive diagnostics, clinical automation To address the implementation of the strategies had begun. and fostering collaboration between health care institutions, scientific societies, and all health professionals.
«At Gilead we believe that part of our corporate responsibility is to collaborate with various institutions, not only in promoting research and innovation, but also in teaching and disseminating scientific knowledge in the field of viral hepatitis. We have been working on this for a long time and we will continue to do so until the long-awaited elimination”, explains Marisa Álvarez, Executive Director of Medical Affairs at Gilead Spain.
Thanks to strategic planning for its approach to hepatitis C, Spain has treated more than 161,000 patients with a recovery rate of almost 95%.
In this sense, he underlined the importance of this event “which is included within the framework of the Hepatology Research Chair of the University of Seville, SAPD and Gilead, with which we continue to promote public-private collaboration and our commitment to move forward Management of liver diseases, as well as promoting teaching, research and dissemination of scientific knowledge in this area.
For his part, Felipe Rosa, vice-rector for technology transfer at the University of Seville, wanted to highlight that this type of public-private collaboration goes beyond the disclosure of experts “they are very much aimed at transferring knowledge to society”. are precise activities. At a given time, technical terms are abundant and this type of activity, in addition to continuous and regulated training of medical students, helps to bring this knowledge closer to the society and can be easily understood Is.
The Chair of Research in Hepatology of the Andalusian Society of Digestive Pathology, the University of Seville and Gilead Sciences has as its fundamental objective the promotion of teaching, research and dissemination of knowledge in medicine on two main fronts. On the one hand, the elimination of viral hepatitis; On the other hand, the best management and treatment of metabolic hepatic steatosis and precision medicine.
More than 76,500 people in the general population are still infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Of these, 22,500 have active HCV infection and have not been diagnosed
In this sense, Dr. Manuel Romero, director of the SAPD-US-GS Hepatology Research Chair, recalls that “we are playing a dynamic role in eliminating hepatitis C, so we are particularly excited that this conference will serve as a reference point.” The final assault to eliminate HCV in our country. As we build the necessary collaborations to achieve this goal.
In addition, Dr. Marta Casado, president of the SAPD, explains that “in Andalusia we are living a very important moment with regard to the elimination of hepatitis C. In the year 2022 we detail the Andalusian plan for the elimination of hepatitis C, which is in the start-up phase and which will make it possible for Andalusia to be free of HCV in the next two years. This will make us one of the first communities to achieve this, because this plan, being innovative and courageous, will be a model for the rest of the communities. sets the example.” Dr. Casado explains that the conferences address key advances in hepatology in recent years “helping train our experts in hepatology.”
Despite educational and clinical efforts, more than 76,500 people in the general population are still infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Of these, 22,500 have active HCV infection and have not been diagnosed. For this, it is necessary to take advantage of all opportunities to diagnose patients, focusing on initiatives aimed at improving their prevention, early detection, automation, treatment and comprehensive management.
The second edition of HepCelentes Recognitions has been distributed, which this year belongs to the Guillem de Castro Addictive Behavior Unit of Valencia, the Prevention and Support Center for Drug Dependence of Vigo and the Drug Dependency Center of Almería.
In this sense, and as part of the commitment to work for the elimination of HCV, the Spanish Society of Health Directors (Cedisa), in collaboration with Gilead Sciences, and with the support of scientific societies and non-governmental organizations, developed this program in our country. The HepCelentes project aimed to identify and give visibility to Addiction Care Centers (CAD) and major mental health centers to eliminate the disease.
Thus, during these days, the second call for the Hepcelantes Recognition Ceremony was held, the Guillem de Castro Addictive Behavior Unit of Valencia, the Drug Dependency Prevention and Assistance Center (Cedro) of Vigo and the Drug Dependency Center of Almeria are all three eligible. Of such distinction. In addition, during the ceremony, seven new HepCelentes certificates were also distributed, bringing the total to 25 centers that have completed the recognition of their commitment to the elimination of hepatitis C in Spain.
