DOH offers free anti-hepatitis services to public

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, Philippines — Central Luzon residents can now avail themselves of free hepatitis testing, treatment and vaccination in public health facilities, the Department of Health said.

The DOH said the service is part of the intensified campaign against hepatitis.

Almira Isabel Cayanan, DOH Central Luzon Center for Health Development-Infectious Disease Cluster program officer, said hepatitis is a serious inflammation of the liver that could lead to various health issues.

Cayanan said the disease is caused by viruses hepatitis A, B, C, D and E.

She said hepatitis A and E are mostly acquired through poor sanitation while Hepatitis B, C and D, which are more dangerous, are transmitted through blood and other body fluids and unsafe sex.

“Testing and treatment are offered for free at health centers, social hygiene clinics, HIV treatment hubs and government hospitals across the region,” Cayanan said.

She highlighted the DOH expanded program on immunization, which provides free birth-dose and pentavalent vaccines to newborns to prevent hepatitis B transmission from mother to child.