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A leading pharmaceutical company hosted the HCV Middle East Summit for medics and journalists in Dubai recently as part of its ongoing commitment to reduce the growing incidence of Hepatitis C (HCV) in the Middle East.
The summit, organized by the MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme), brought together more than 200 doctors and 25 journalists from across the region to discuss the virus, ways to manage it and medical breakthroughs that may help control it.
MSD presented the experiences of both international and regional medical experts over the course of two days, highlighting the latest clinical trials and medical advances that could help save the lives of Hepatitis C patients.
More than 9 million people across the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region are believed to be infected with Hepatitis C. In addition, statistics estimate that as much as 1.8 percent of the Saudi population suffers from the virus.
HCV prevails in the western and southern provinces and there are well over 150,000 cases of chronic infection.
Genotype 4 is most common among Saudi patients infected with HCV, which is least likely to respond to the standard interferon therapy. However, recent studies indicate that an anti-viral drug has demonstrated promising results.
“At MSD, we are committed to providing continuous education to support physicians in providing their patients with the best care,” said Dr. Ramsey Morad, managing director of MSD in the Middle East, in his opening address at the summit, adding that Hepatitis C has already become an epidemic.
Morad said that the WHO estimates that 3 percent, or around 170 million of the world’s population, are already infected with the virus. The MENA region ranks among the highest in the world in terms of both prevalence and incidence.
“Hepatitis C transmission rates in the MENA region are still among the highest in the world despite the progress and medical breakthroughs achieved over the last decade. Education is crucial if we are to effectively address this epidemic,” he said.
Mustafa Abdelaziz, consultant physician in internal medicine, gastroenterology and hepatology, said, “Hepatitis C is often known as the silent killer, because in many cases, there are no specific symptoms.”
The conference and media academy are the latest in a long line of initiatives that MSD has undertaken in the region over the last few years to try to raise awareness about Hepatitis C.