For those involved in this problem it is not only a full-time job, it's a personal matter that insults the pervasive lack of resources and political commitment of many decision makers to prevent prompt and effective medical care. Recurring themes by the voracious appetite for profits of pharmaceutical companies.
But the camaraderie is a link between the participants and show that not all storm clouds darken the sky, there are rays of hope. People who work at government level show their commitment as human beings who seek to help others, their names very rarely recognized in the media but through them their governments have decided to take action:
Brazil is the case closer to us in America continent but Egypt, Georgia, Scotland also joined, among others, who have made successful negotiations with manufacturers of drugs for hepatitis C that will provide access to an important segment treatments of their populations affected by the "silent enemy".
special mention is that of Egypt, not only achieved a fair price also have a clear strategy: to treat its 10 million people infected with hepatitis C by 2025. From October 2014 to August 2015 they gave 130,000 treatments and have been getting the cure for 85%. Next year it aims to provide 350,000 treatments.
Another case in Scotland. They recognized early this century the serious public health from hepatitis and established a strategy to be developed in several phases, which began in 2006 and continues today.
That is to have strategic vision, demonstrating the importance of planning ahead and with short- and medium term. They Showed to other governments of the world that the time of analysis and planning should be just 10 years ago, not now that the bomb has exploded and which is now urgent action.
The remaining countries continue doing the best they can despite the Olympic lack of commitment by States and their decision makers.
The battle under such circumstances is uneven, to say politely, governments remain entrenched despite seeing such a large segment of its population is annihilated under the pretext of not having enough resources.
And civil society that it is taking the lead that few governments are hesitant to exercise.
The United we stand and united only patients and their families, including those for actual discrimination, stigmatization and lose their job they did not want to talk about fear. Only this should help exert enough pressure on our governments to act promptly to stop the spread of the disease and reduce the number of deaths from this war without quarter.
Thanks to the World Hepatitis Alliance, the Ministry of Health of Scotland, the governments of Brazil, Egypt and Georgia, to the people who work in government sided with the patients and also, admittedly, the many human beings who They are working in pharmaceutical companies and genuinely share our goals ...
But especially you, the patient, family member, friend that you are involved and show your face to seek a better quality of life for those affected by hepatitis C and that without fear you face with the weapon of value in such adverse circumstances. And to all the parents, brothers, children, wives, husbands who have died in this unjust war, thank you for your courage and tenacity samples.
Thanks and keep fighting!
Antonio Oñate
Fundacion Hepatos Aion
Mexico