The Department of Health (DoH) estimates that around 1% of the estimated 100 million Filipinos have chronic hepatitis C. However, not many Pinoys are knowledgeable about this disease. The fact is there is lack of awareness about hepatitis C and its transmission, prevention, screening, and management among patients, public, and healthcare providers in our country.
To address this concern, Mylan, one of the world’s leading global pharmaceutical companies, in partnership with Hepatology Society of the Philippines (HSP) recently launched an awareness campaign for Hepatitis C in the country. The BEATHepC (Become educated, aware, tested and treated) campaign aims to spread awareness about the disease by disseminating information through pamphlets and promoting screening among Filipinos at risk. Present at the event was Hep C survivor and avocate Michael de Mesa.
What Is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is liver disease caused by the Hep C virus. Hep C is transmitted when blood from an infected person enters the body of another who is not infected. The disease progresses slowly, over the course of 10 to 40 years. It attacks and damages the liver, killing liver cells in the process. As a result, scar tissue forms, a process called fibrosis. For about 10 to 20 percent of people infected, Hep C can eventually lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). Although some people will experience symptoms, about 80 percent of people with acute Hep C do not have any symptoms.
“Chronic Hepatitis C infection may lead to serious complications such as cirrhosis and/or liver cancer,” explained Dr. Jade Jamias, Liver Specialist and President of HSP. Patients with hepatitis C often do not show early symptoms and so it becomes very critical to educate the people about this infection. Early detection is key to treatment and prevention of liver disease progression. The positive news is that treatment for this disease is now easily accessible to all.”
Ms. Ester Tacanay, Country Manager of Mylan in Philippines, added, “Hepatitis C is a chronic public health concern in the Philippines. At Mylan Philippines, we are committed to providing access to medicine for treatment of hepatitis C with the objective of reducing the disease burden. Through the BEATHepC campaign, Mylan aims to create awareness around risks and misconceptions about the disease and encourage early screening and treatment to prevent the disease. We are happy to partner with HSP to drive this campaign across Philippines.”
Mylan’s BEATHepC campaign supports the mission of the National Viral Hepatitis Task Force (NVHTF) to eliminate or significantly decrease the prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in the Philippines.
We shared a hearty potluck feast of Amber’s and Fish2Go specialties, plus a roasted Peking duck and some home-cooked favorites. 
This annual family get-together was an opportune time for us to catch up on each other’s lives and to have a heart-to-heart talk with our dear Nanay who apparently is not in the pink of health. 
Nanay underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 2010. Now she is a candidate for kidney dialysis. To lower her creatinine levels and to delay dialysis, she was instructed to follow a protein- and salt-restricted plus fiber-rich diet, something she detests but one she has to follow for her own good. Her being diabetic further complicates things. The whole family is now bracing for the worst but still hoping for the best. 
Now that I think about it, I guess it was actually timely that we all wore pink for last year’s family Christmas gathering. Why? Bourn Creative says “pink is the color of universal love of oneself and of others.” Pink reminds Nanay and all of us to love ourselves by taking care of our health. It also reminds us to look after the people we love because that’s what family is all about. 
