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The austerity hammer is coming down relentlessly: although the Federal Council wants to approve the “National Program against Sexually Transmitted Diseases” at one of the upcoming meetings of the Federal Council, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) is now cutting off funds for various hepatitis diseases . Switzerland projects. The organization is the only initiative committed to eradicating the disease.
A pilot project in various prisons is also being affected, in which newly admitted people are systematically tested for HIV and hepatitis B and C, the Tamedia media reported. “This step by the Federal Office is extremely incomprehensible,” said Philip Bruggmann, professor and chief physician for internal medicine at the Center for Addiction Medicine in Zurich and president of Hepatitis Switzerland.
Only 35,000 instead of 400,000 francs
“If you want to eradicate hepatitis B and C in Switzerland, prisoners in prisons are a key group,” says Bruggmann. Many detainees in particular belong to risk groups. The hepatitis virus is transmitted through infected blood, for example through open wounds, mucous membranes or infected medicine equipment. If left undetected, the highly contagious disease leads to liver damage and liver cancer and can be fatal.
In total, Hepatitis Switzerland has requested 400,000 francs from the BAG for all hepatitis projects. From next year, only 35,000 francs will be approved. The money for the prison pilot project has also been cut. The BAG says: “The project was rejected for formal reasons.” The prison project is therefore only secured until the end of 2024. (SDA/rus)
Source:Blick
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