A day of prevention was held at the Caritas soup kitchen on Via Sant'Ignazio in Cagliari, where hepatologists from the Duilio Casula Polyclinic performed free screenings for hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV). The initiative took place on World Hepatitis Day, with the aim of identifying hidden cases and raising awareness about the risk of infection.
The initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Diocesan Caritas, led by Monsignor Marco Lai, and also involved trainee doctors from the University of Cagliari's School of Specialization in Internal Medicine.
After the screenings, the medical staff participated in distributing lunch in the facility's refectory, alongside Caritas volunteers.
The project was organized by the Liver Diseases Unit of the University Hospital of Cagliari, in collaboration with the Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, with the involvement of doctors Cinzia Balestrieri, Luchino Chessa, Maria Conti, Francesco Pes, and Giancarlo Serra.
"The goal," explained Professor Luchino Chessa, "was to highlight hidden cases of infection and inform people about how to avoid contagion."
Chessa recalled that the World Health Organization aims to drastically reduce new infections and mortality from chronic hepatitis by 2030 , a disease that can progress to liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.
To achieve these goals, the hepatologist emphasized, it is essential that all countries, including Italy, continue to promote prevention, screening, and access to antiviral treatments.
(Unioneonline/Fr.Me.)
