KUWAIT: "People with hepatitis B or C might show no symptoms and the only way to uncover the health problem is through testing," a medical expert said yesterday. The Al-Sayer Group, in cooperation with Roche and the Kuwait's Ministry of Health announced its free-testing and treatment for all its employees. The launch of 'HepCare-Get tested' was held yesterday at Al-Sayer headquarters located at the Free-Trade Zone, Shuwaikh.

Dr Ahmad Shatti, Director Occupational Health Department Ministry of Health and Dr Bader Al-Enezi, Gastroenterology and Hepatology specialists at Jahra Hospital presented a lecture about hepatitis to enlighten the public on what they termed as 'the silent but dangerous disease which could lead to death'. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ commonly caused by viral infection.

The condition can be self-limiting, healing on its own or can progress to acute liver infection and worse, cancer. Hepatitis B and C are two such chronic cases responsible for approximately one million deaths per year. The World Health Organization says that some 500 million people around the world are infected with chronic hepatitis B or C viruses. Based on unofficial study in the country, at least 1.5 to 2 percent of Kuwaiti population may have been infected with the hepatitis virus, Dr Al-Enezi said.

The figure may have been higher if the expatriate populations are included. So what we have been doing right now is to encourage people to undergo tests so as to understand and determine the number of people infected with the virus," Dr Al-Enezi said. "We don't have clear statistics of the entire population but I advised everyone to undergo test. People infected with hepatitis virus can sometimes appear to having no signs at all, but the fact is they are active carrier of the virus," he added.

Al-Enezi mentioned that hepatitis B is a curable disease while hepatitis C vaccine are yet to be discovered, but it could be easily prevented, if the population are aware of it. Some common causes of Hepatitis include over-consumption of alcohol, blood transfusion and drugs. People vulnerable to hepatitis are those living with multiple sex partners, the families with infected members and people who share needles-for drugs or blood [transfusion/use], razor blade, contaminated foods, toothbrush, unsterilized
medical equipments, health workers and mother to their babies.

I suggest vaccination. Kuwait has already been implementing compulsory vaccination for all children born in Kuwait, free of charge. Adults can also visit our health centers all over Kuwait to get the vaccine with a minimal charge," Dr Al Enezi advised. Al-Enezi mentioned that the initiative of Al-Sayer is a good example for others to follow. Kuwait campaign against Hepatitis was launched by the government in 1992, registering rare incidence or a decline of hepatitis virus from group ages 20 down. The vacc
ine is being offered to expatiate babies born in Kuwait.

Other signs and specific symptoms of person with hepatitis are malaise, muscle and joint aches, fever, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. Other symptoms include profound loss of appetite, aversion to smoking [for smokers], dark urine, yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice) and abdominal discomfort.

Engineer Nehad Al-Haj Ali, Assistant Manager (Environment, Health and Safety) revealed, the campaign HepCare covers all the Al-Sayer Groups of Companies employees and their families. "We launched this program part of our social responsibility and to encourage other companies to do the same. Our employees are part of the society, they are our valuable assets and we care for them," he added. The free testing for all their employees will be conducted at all six-showrooms located all over Kuwait. - Kuwait Times