A South Sudanese youth organization is urging all young people to get tested against Hepatitis C, for early diagnosis and treatment.
The director of health and medical services at the Youth Organization for Cultural and Social Development, Dr. Ater Mang'uak, told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that after a campaign to create awareness against Hepatitis C, they recorded high prevalence rates in Juba. He revealed that about 60 percent of those screened during the campaign since last month tested positive to the virus.
The campaign was aimed at offering free voluntary screening and creating awareness on prevention and treatment options, he said.
Mang'uak stressed that early detection is key to successful treatment and called on the youth to visit the nearest health facility for screening. He also advised the population to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B to reduce complications during Hepatitis C treatment.
He said the organization which comprises of a team of doctors in Juba will launch a similar campaign against Malaria next week.
According to the World Health Organisation, WHO, Hepatitis C is a serious chronic viral disease which causes both acute and chronic infections on the liver and can become life-threatening. There is no vaccine against Hepatitis C but treatment is available.