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Jimma Medical Centre commenced hepatitis B virus treatment, Jimma, Ethiopia

Tsegaye Melaku Kebede - Institute of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Ethiopia

2022-01-19

Jimma Medical Centre has begun free of charge Hepatitis B virus Treatment.

The Centre along with its partners Vestfold Hospital (Norway), St Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC), Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology (ALIPB), Addis Ababa University have started a free of charge hepatitis B virus treatment.

The kick-off program, which began by providing practical training on viral hepatitis and patient management to health professionals was taking place from 06-10 December 2021.

This service is supported by an onsite viral load (HBV DNA) assessment and supply of adequate antiviral drugs.

The free of charge hepatitis B virus treatment was started in St. Paul Hospital in Addis Ababa in 2015 and JMC is the second site to provide this service in Ethiopia.

Dr. Hailemichael Desalegn (SPHMMC) and Dr. Nega Berhe (ALIPB), national project coordinators and Prof. Esayas Kebede, local coordinator, confirmed that the service will be led by a team of experts from Jimma University, St. Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College, Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, and Vestfold Hospital in Norway.

Dr. Elias Ali, chief executive director of Jimma University Institute of Health, reiterated that the hospital will render all the necessary support for the effective running of the service.

The service including antiviral drug and diagnostic workups related to the service will be provided free of charge. It will be provided at the newly established JMC Hep Clinic situated in Jimma Medical Centre, next to the Comprehensive Chronic Care and Training Centre (Traditionally known as ART Clinic).