Hepatitis C Claims 5,000 Lives Annually in Morocco, Advocacy Group Warns

According to the ALCS, the health crisis related to the coronavirus could increase the number of deaths due to hepatitis C, reports Al Akhbar. The association holds the health authorities responsible. Especially since the Ministry of Health has trampled on a recommendation from the World Health Organization, namely the implementation of a national strategic plan to counter this silent disease.

The association recalls that this plan had been developed in 2016 and a former Minister of Health had launched a call for tenders for the purchase of new drugs (ADD). But this market had been canceled without any justification. Unexpectedly, the strategic plan was subsequently frozen by the public authorities. This plan provided for the purchase of new drugs and the launch of early disease diagnosis campaigns.

As a result, more than 500,000 Moroccans do not know if they are carriers of the virus or not. Faced with the situation, the ALC says it has mobilized several volunteer doctors to fight this disease through ongoing training. It has also requested medical coverage for patients in precarious situations. The ALCS and other associations have sent letters to the Minister of Health, Khalid Ait Taleb, which have so far remained unanswered.