Allegations of 50M citizens infected with Hepatitis C are false: Presidential Spox

CAIRO – 27 August 2018: Egyptian Presidential Spokesperson, Bassam Rady, refuted on Sunday recent allegations of 50 million Egyptian citizens infected with Hepatitis C, adding that the Egyptian Ministry of Health is conducting a scan on 50 million citizens to cure any case infected with the disease.

Rady said during a phone interview on "Saleet Al Tahrir" TV show that the ministry is conducting the scan as a prelude to the new health insurance project. The scan includes 50 million citizens in order to spot any patients with Hepatitis C virus and other diseases such as, hypertension and diabetes.

The ministry used the State’s database of citizens to launch the scan financed by the government, civil society organizations and charities, added Rady.

The scan is expected to take place from October 2018 till April 2019 in all Egyptian governorates.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi has previously directed to swiftly finalize preparations for launching the comprehensive health insurance project, putting into consideration the mechanization of the venture and various State institutions.

He also ordered providing the needed capabilities to equip the hospitals where the health insurance system will be applied.

These remarks came during his meeting with Health Minister Hala Zayed and Director of EL-Galaa Medical Complex Bahaa Eldin Zidan.

President Sisi also directed to examine 50 million people to treat Egyptians of hepatitis as well as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes in order to contribute to early detection of diseases and offer treatment to patients.

Egypt's anti-Hepatitis C initiative is considered the biggest of its kind in the whole world.