World Hepatitis Day at The Medical City

The Medical City (TMC) and the Hepatology Society of the Philippines (HSP) recently celebrated World Hepatitis Day to increase awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis that causes over 1.5 million deaths every year, yet remains remarkably neglected.



The only way to know if a person has Hepa B or C is to get tested.


The theme of the celebration was “Hepatitis: Think Again” as it stressed the need for people to get tested for hepatitis viruses, get Hepatitis B vaccine and receive necessary treatment at the earliest.

World Hepatitis Day is an annual event that provides international focus for patient groups and people living with viral hepatitis. The TMC Center for Liver Disease Management and Transplantation (CLDMT), Center for Patient Partnership (CPP) in coordination with HSP held the celebration on July 26, 2014 at TMC Ortigas in Pasig City. The highlight of the event was the free Hepatitis B and C screening and lay forum.
An exhibit for World Hepatitis Day 2014 and testimonials of Hepatitis B and C patients were also on display in the TMC hospital lobby from July 26 to August 1, 2014.


Free Hepatitis B & C Screening at The Medical City

During the forum, Dr. Jane Ricaforte-Campos, chairperson of the World Hepatitis Day observance, discussed “Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease” while Dr. Madalinee Eternity D. Labio’s topic was “Understanding Hepatitis B and C.” Dr. Labio is currently the president of HSP.

World Hepatitis Day at The Medical City

About 350 persons availed of the free screening and a hundred participated in the forum. Members of the Yellow Warriors Society of the Philippines (YWSP), the leading patient-led organization involved in viral hepatitis advocacy, also joined the event at TMC. YWSP is a member of the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) and its former president sits on the Executive Board of the WHA. It conducts awareness programs including the celebration of the World Hepatitis Day as well as work towards increased government support for viral hepatitis services.

Hepatitis B and C, both regarded as silent viruses, are considered major threats to global health with high prevalence rates in the Philippines. Many people feel no symptoms yet they could be infected with Hepatitis B or C for years without knowing it.
If left untreated, both the hepatitis B and C viruses can lead to cirrhosis or liver scarring. If one has liver cirrhosis, there is a risk of life-threatening complications such as bleeding, ascites (excessive accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity), liver cancer, liver failure, and even death. Hepatitis B is also said to be the most common cause of liver cancer.

Recognizing the growing rate of hepatitis cases in the country, the HSP aims to provide comprehensive information to the public and medical community as well as lobbying for the rights of hepatitis patients.


TMC hepatologist and HSP President Dr. Madalinee Eternity D. Labio

At TMC, the CLDMT adopts a comprehensive approach to the problem of Hepatitis B and C, from advocacy to screening and prevention to medical treatment to liver transplantation for Hepatitis B-related end-stage liver disease. It offers clinic consults, diagnostic testing for viral hepatitis, counseling, vaccination, multidisciplinary conferences for individual cases and treatment of viral hepatitis.

The CLDMT is likewise actively involved in research and multinational clinical trials on the treatment of viral hepatitis and liver cancer.
The CLDMT is a specialty unit that offers a comprehensive array of diagnostic and therapeutic options for patients with liver diseases and liver tumors through an integrated and highly skilled multidisciplinary, patient-partnership approach. It is otherwise known as The Medical City Liver Center and may be reached through 9887000 local 6506 or 0932-88LIVER.