Igniting the Spark – Guangdong Launches Pilot Project for Eradicating Viral Hepatitis in Villages
On
the morning of May 16th, the first pilot project in Guangdong, the "Spark
Project" for eradicating the hazards of viral hepatitis in Jun'an Town,
Shunde District, Foshan City, was officially launched. The first stop began at
the Zhipu Cultural and Sports Center in Hefeng Community, Jun'an Town, where
local residents can now enjoy a comprehensive range of liver disease prevention
and treatment services, including free testing for hepatitis B surface antigen,
hepatitis B surface antibody, and hepatitis C antibody, as well as free initial
doses of hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis management. It is understood that
the Spark Project is not only a heartwarming project praised and actively
participated in by local residents, but also strives to create a spreading
trend, providing a new model and valuable experience of "large-scale
population survey and universal treatment for patients" for promotion and
reference nationwide.
The
"Spark Project for Eradicating the Hazards of Viral Hepatitis" in
Jun'an Town is the first pilot project in Guangdong and the second nationwide aimed
at eliminating the threat of viral hepatitis and managing liver diseases
throughout their full cycle. It is specifically implemented by the Jun'an Town
government and the Jun'an Town Health Community. By the end of 2023, the goal
is to achieve over 90% screening rates for hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses
among the entire population and an over 80% standardized treatment rate, as
well as an over 80% hepatitis B vaccination rate for high-risk groups. Efforts
will be made to reduce the new infection rates of hepatitis B and hepatitis C
in the entire town by 90% within three years.
During
the project launch ceremony, Gao Huadong, member of the Standing Committee of
the Shunde District Committee and Minister of the Organization Department,
stated that the government would fully support the smooth implementation of the
project, providing high-quality services, solid guarantees, and a good
environment to promote the project.
Cui
Gang, Vice Chairman of the China Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and
Control, expressed that they will continue to actively coordinate all parties
and assist the Spark Project for eradicating the hazards of viral hepatitis in
Jun'an Town to deepen and solidify its implementation.
At
the event, Jun'an Hospital signed a technical cooperation agreement with the
Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University to jointly strengthen
standardized treatment and follow-up management for patients with viral
hepatitis who should receive treatment.
As
a manufacturer of hepatitis B vaccines, Amyson Vaccine Co., Ltd. donated 40,000
doses of hepatitis B vaccine on-site. Jia Shaojun, Executive Director, CEO, and
Chief Operating Officer of Amyson Vaccine, introduced that the company ensures
the supply of nearly 80% of hepatitis B vaccines for newborns nationwide, and
the company has an undeniable social responsibility to eliminate the hazards of
hepatitis B and implement the Healthy China strategy. In the future, Amyson
will fully support the implementation and deepening of the Spark Project and
make a proper contribution to controlling the spread of the hepatitis B virus
and ultimately eliminating hepatitis B with high-quality hepatitis B vaccines.
Hepatitis
B virus is a carcinogen, and high replication of hepatitis B is an important
factor influencing the occurrence of liver cancer. The higher the viral load
and hepatitis B surface antigen level, the higher the risk of liver cancer.
Therefore, preventing hepatitis B virus infection is crucial in preventing
cirrhosis and liver cancer. In this sense, the hepatitis B vaccine is a
powerful tool for preventing liver cancer.
At
the event, He Yunyi, a resident of Hefeng Community in Jun'an Town, mobilized
her entire family, neighbors, and children to participate in the screening at
the event site and proactively receive the hepatitis B vaccine. She stated that
most children nowadays have been vaccinated against hepatitis B at birth, but
some elderly and middle-aged people in her family have either been vaccinated
or have had their antibody levels decay. “Therefore, this event is very
meaningful, providing an additional guarantee for the health of the entire
family, allowing us to have a higher quality of life”.