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- Ελληνικά
It is a great honour for me to welcome you to today's press conference dedicated to viral hepatitis and HIV, diseases that continue to pose global threats to public health, affecting millions of people around the world. We are here to highlight the importance of prevention, early diagnosis and effective response to these serious health challenges.
In Cyprus, we have made significant progress in tackling these diseases, but we know that there is still much to be done. This is why we are moving forward with the development and implementation of comprehensive strategies aimed at reducing transmission, early diagnosis and access to treatments for all those in need.
Awareness and education are fundamental to the prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis and HIV. It is essential to ensure that the public is properly informed about prevention methods, early diagnosis methods, available vaccines and treatment regimens. This will help prevent the emergence of new infections and reduce the transmission of these diseases.
In addition, strengthening Health Services is a priority for the Ministry of Health. It must be ensured that all citizens have equal access to quality health services for the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. Upgrading health infrastructure, strengthening human resources and continuous training of medical and nursing staff are critical to effectively address viral hepatitis and HIV.
Collaborations at the national and international level are also essential to address these diseases. We work closely with the World Health Organization, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and other international organizations, and adopt best practices and guidelines, while sharing knowledge and expertise helps us improve our strategies to achieve our goals.
For HIV specifically, the Ministry of Health remains committed to meeting and exceeding the revised epidemic-ending targets as set by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV For the Republic of Cyprus, it is estimated that 92% of people living with HIV have been diagnosed. Among them, 94% have been linked to health care and are receiving antiretroviral treatment of which 97% have achieved virological suppression.
In order to achieve and maintain the above targets by updating our national strategy, the Ministry of Health has reconstituted the National AIDS Committee. The National Commission immediately proceeded to create subcommittees to deal with important pillars of virus containment such as:
- the introduction of Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) services for pre-exposure prophylaxis to reduce transmission in the community
- the review of stigmatizing laws and practices to zero the stigma of the disease
- the expansion diagnostic testing in the community to achieve early diagnosis
- the formulation of an algorithm to reduce the time from diagnosis to referral of HIV-positive individuals to the Gregory Clinic for initiation of antiretroviral therapy
In parallel, the Ministry of Health stands by the problems of HIV-positive people. Recently, the prescription of antiretroviral preparations has been revised with the introduction of modern treatment regimens. It was agreed to extend the prescription of antiretroviral treatment from two to three months with the main purpose of facilitating accessibility to antiretroviral treatment and support for compliance in taking the treatment.
A National Action Plan for the eradication of Hepatitis C virus in Cyprus has been developed and a proposal has been submitted for the reconstitution of the National Coordinating Committee for Viral Hepatitis Virus Control with a mandate to implement the plan.
Through the National Vaccination Programme, vaccines for Hepatitis A and B are provided free of charge while all citizens of the Republic of Cyprus suffering from HIV at the Gregorios Clinic and patients with Hepatitis at the Hepatology Clinics of the OCYPY have free access to monitoring and treatment.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the Association of Liver Patients and Friends of Cyprus Prometheus, the Support Centre for People Living with HIV/AIDS (CYFA) and all the health professionals who work tirelessly to fight these diseases. Your dedication and efforts are invaluable and a source of inspiration for all of us. Thanks to your contribution, we can hope for a future where viral hepatitis and HIV are no longer a threat to the health of our citizens.
I therefore call on everyone to continue to work with dedication and consistency to achieve our common goal of eliminating viral hepatitis and HIV and protecting public health. Together we can make a difference and ensure a healthier future for all.
(DK)
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