CAMAGÜEY.- With Sofosbuvir 400mg and Daclastavir 60mg, direct-acting antivirals from India, which together cure chronic Hepatitis C in more than 90% of cases, 70 patients from the province of Camagüey are treated. The treatment, which began on January 4, enters its second stage in unison throughout the country.
Of these patients, 42 were selected from the provincial consultation of hepatitis C and B that meets at the José Martí polyclinic on the fourth Wednesday of each month; 22 are from the Nephrology Center attached to the Manuel Ascunce Domenech university hospital, who receive hemodialysis and six who are benefited with the same procedure in the center for this purpose in the municipality of Florida, all over 18 years of age.
A commission created in each territory prioritized people who receive hemodialysis, those who live with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and with liver diseases such as advanced fibrosis in a stage of liver cirrhosis and Health workers with the disease.
Dr. Yosvanys Rojas Peláez, 2nd. Degree in Gastroenterology from the Municipal Directorate of Public Health here, who leads this program at the José Martí polyclinic, qualified these drugs as the specific ones used in the world for the treatment and cure of chronic Hepatitis C. Along with him, the medication is monitored by Dr. Otmara Pedroso Pompa, a specialist in Comprehensive General Medicine (MGI), and a Pharmacology resident.
The check-up is scheduled for the first, second and third months, and after three months of rest, the viral load of the disease is examined. If it is found to be negative, it is reported as cured. The third consultation is scheduled for February 22 and ends in March with the planned exploration. In the middle of the procedure, laboratory tests, liver function tests, ultrasound, hemoglobin and those that are required are applied.
Pregnant women and those under 18 years of age are exempt from receiving this treatment, although it should be noted that in the province there are no diagnosed cases of this age group.
Records indicate that these drugs cost in 2015, in the case of Sofosbuvir, a thousand dollars per tablet and in that of Daclastavir 750, and are 12 weeks of treatment.
Dr. Yosvanys mentioned as modes of contagion of chronic Hepatitis C, sexual contact and the handling of contaminated blood on any surface or short sharp utensil, such as those used by those who fix nails, barbers, when getting tattoos, in dentistry care, just to mention a few cases. Hence the need to maximize the hygienic standards established in each Public Health institution and before any of these actions mentioned.
As a response to the call of the country's leadership for science to be linked to each novel procedure like this one, it is followed through a research project approved in the aforementioned polyclinic, and the project for the completion of the specialty thesis in Pharmacology of Dr. Pedroso Pompa, approved by the Scientific Technical Committee of the Carlos J. Finlay University of Medical Sciences.
This research will advance for two years, a stage in which the effectiveness of these antivirals will be verified in the province, according to the response of patients to treatment, because unlike Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C does not have a preventive vaccine and evolves towards various complications, including the death of the patient, hence the importance of its prevention.
One of the beneficiaries in her second consultation with doctors Yosvanys and Otmara
Meanwhile, another research project is underway to prevent the acquisition of the disease, approved by the Center for the Development of Social and Humanistic Sciences in Health (CENDECSA), of the Medical University, led by four specialists in Gastroenterology from various institutions, at the which are joined by pharmacologists, epidemiologists, clinicians, nutritionists, psychologists, in order to offer comprehensive care to these patients in the provincial consultation.
Patients approached by the press agreed that they have a great opportunity before them due to the possibility of being cured, even in the face of a very expensive treatment, which does not cost them a penny. In addition, they rated these drugs as very safe, since they have not manifested adverse reactions. In those who require hemodialysis, treatment has a positive influence on them being able to join the Kidney Transplant Program after the cure of Hepatitis C is checked.
Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez