Liver health awareness summit set here in June

Delegates from the professional medical community are set to arrive in Cebu to meet with their counterparts in a liver health awareness summit that will be held at the Waterfront Hotel, Lahug next month.

The summit is part of an ongoing advocacy that endeavors to build awareness not only among Chronic Hepatitis B patients, but also within the medical community as well.

Key medical societies composed of the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of Liver, Philippine Society of Gastroentology, Hepatology Society of the Philippines, Philippine Cancer Society, Philippine Association of the Study of Liver Diseases and the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination will discuss key issues pertaining to the vaccination, latest treatment options and employability of those who have Hepatitis B. Workshops and discussions are expected to benefit all doctors who will attend the summit.

Hepatitis B is recognized by the World Health Organization as the most common serious liver infection in the world. The disease is so serious that the lack of treatment may lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure and eventually death. The problem however is compounded by the fact that a very few Hepatitis B patients are aware that they are infected.

A study made by the research group called Synovate Healthcare revealed that most patients suffering from Chronic Hepatitis B in Asia initially did not suspect that they were infected. The same study conducted in the Philippines from November to December of 2004 also showed similar results. Most CHB patients were not aware that they were carriers of the virus.

Another key finding of the survey showed CHB patients have poor understanding of the disease. A relatively higher number said that they do not know how the disease actually develops.

The respondent in the Philippine survey expressed initial shock upon finding out that they were infected, giving them deep concern about their condition. This concern was more on possibly infecting others, social stigma and career threats.

Despite the lack of awareness, the CHB patients give their doctors high ratings of satisfaction in terms of consultation, additional education about CHB and treatment care.

More deliberations surrounding the information are expected to be raised during the summit. All doctors are encouraged to participate in this first-of-its-kind event in Cebu. - Jasmin R. Uy