People in Vietnam capital get free HBV tests

Hanoi, October 12 (VNA) - The Vietnam National Hospital of Tropical Diseases is offering 6,500 free hepatitis B virus (HBV) tests for people living in Hanoi and neighbouring provinces. The HBV tests, including 6,200 HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) and 3000 HBV DNA tests are part of an action plan for early diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis that the hospital has carried out in response to the global campaign to eliminate HBV by 2030. Dr Nguyen Van Kinh, general director of the hospital, said that all tests would be done with modern technologies. Early diagnosis is important to protect individuals as well as the community, he said, adding that the programme corresponds to the Ministry of Health’s programme to eliminate HBV during the 2015-19 period. People can take the free test (worth 111,000 VND), and if they test positive for HBsAG, will be given an additional free test for HBV DNA and receive a consultation. Residents who want to take the test can go to the hospital’s two branches in Hanoi or call 19003228 to register. Hepatitis is a contagious disease which has a negative impact on society, with millions of people dying every day around the world. According to the World Health Organisation in 2017, about 257 million people in the world were living with HBV./.