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Scientific Conference on Hepatitis Assiut University

In his keynote speech at the opening proceedings of the Sixth Annual Conference of the Egyptian Society of hepatic viruses, organized by the Department of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, University President, Dr. Mostafa Kamal asserted the importance of adopting an integrated strategy to eliminate and reduce the rate of Hepatitis infection in Egypt. To this end, he advocates the integration of roles and co-ordination of efforts and nationwide orientation since the disease represents a risk to the structure of the nation, the health of its citizens, and the safety of future generations.  Professor Kamal also emphasized the effective impact of the University and its facilities on the prevention, treatment and medical education in Upper Egyptian provinces.   On his part, Dr. Abdel Ghani Abdel Hamid, General Secretary of the conference indicated that the problem of Hepatic infection occupies the first rank among infectious diseases in Egypt.  He also said that a report of the United Nations has indicated that the number of infected patients has reached about 12 million people representing 18% with high annual increase placing Egypt in the lead of world countries suffering from the disease.  Dr. Abdel Hamid pointed out that the risk of the disease lies in its complications that reach utter liver cirrhosis or liver tumors. He also indicated that the ratio of prevalence varies among Egyptian provinces as it reaches about 28.4% in the Delta provinces, 26.5% in Central Egyptian provinces, 19.5% in Upper Egyptian provinces, 8.2% in Cairo, and about 5.9% in Alexandria.   Dr. Medhat Nasr, Conference Chairman indicated that Hepatitis (HCV) represents a national problem that necessitates coordination of efforts to limit viral spread. Prof. Nasr pointed at the inability of hospitals to accommodate the increasing numbers of infected patients and the limited methods of prevention including the role of Assiut University and the Department of Endoscopy in vaccinating students and hospital staff in an attempt to eliminate the spread of the disease.  Prof Nasr also said that HCV infection can be transmitted through the mouth, teeth and blood transfusions. Dr. Mohammed Adawy Nafea, Honorary Chairman of the Conference, said that in most causes of infection, HCV spread most likely because of   several behavioral habits in Egyptian society such as using shaving tools, blades, syringes, surgical instruments and blood transfusions; a matter that renders both patients and the government responsible for the spread of the disease. Prof Nafea indicated that budgets now are insufficient for the confronting the disease and its serious developments complications.