Brussels, 09/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - In the European Parliament on 2 March, the European Liver Patients Association (ELPA) presented a study highlighting the low levels of awareness of liver diseases among political decision-makers and the general public. At a conference hosted by Alojz Peterle (EPP-ED, Slovenia), ELPA said that currently 14 million people are estimated to be living with chronic hepatitis B in the WHO European region. 9 million people are infected with the hepatitis C virus and up to 90% of hepatitis patients are unaware of their infection. Hitherto, only France, Spain and the United Kingdom have conducted hepatitis awareness campaigns. France, the Netherlands, the UK and Sweden are the only countries to have developed comprehensive national plans to combat hepatitis.
ELPA is calling for the adoption of a Council recommendation on these, the two most widespread forms of hepatitis. The aims of the recommendation would be to: - support the establishment of screening programmes in member states; - to support the development of specific national and regional long-term plans for hepatitis B and C; - support awareness-raising campaigns; - reduce health inequalities; - promote research on prevention and cure of hepatitis B and C. (O.J./transl.rt)