Naju-si Conducts Free Hepatitis C Antibody Testing... First 300 People Only

The Naju Public Health Center in Jeollanam-do is providing free antibody testing for the early detection and treatment of hepatitis C.

According to the health center on the 16th, hepatitis C refers to a disease in which inflammation occurs in the liver due to the body's immune response to infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

A citizen is having blood drawn for a hepatitis C antibody test.
[Photo by Naju City Health Center]

The disease is transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood infected with the hepatitis C virus.

It can be transmitted through sexual contact, blood transfusions, blood-derived medicines, reuse of contaminated syringes, use of unsterilized needles, piercing, and tattooing processes.

Most cases are asymptomatic, and if not treated in time, the disease can progress to acute or chronic liver disease, leading to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Therefore, regular testing for early detection is very important.

This year, the health center is conducting comprehensive testing by visiting four village senior centers with a high proportion of residents aged 65 and older, and two villages of Hansen’s disease patients, targeting 300 citizens, as well as providing hepatitis C antibody testing at the health center.

Citizens who wish to be tested can visit the clinical pathology laboratory at the Naju Public Health Center with their ID.

Test results will be sent via text message one week after testing. For citizens aged 40 and above who test positive, the National Health Insurance Service will provide information on the lifetime free liver cancer screening program and connect them to the service upon consent.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “Hepatitis C has no preventive vaccine, is not included in the national health screening, and is often asymptomatic even if infected, so testing is essential. We hope that early detection through screening and timely treatment will prevent liver cancer and help people lead healthy lives.”

Naju = Kim Yuk-bong, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr