TMC Holds Lay Forum in Celebration of World Hepatitis Day

The Medical City (TMC) Center for Liver Disease Management and Transplantation (CLDMT) and the Center for Patient Partnership (CPP)recently held a lay forum dubbed “Hepatitis B: A Must Know for Expectant and Future Mommies” last Saturday, July 30, 2016, with Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rossell-Ubial as special guest.

Also present during the event were TMC President and CEO Dr. Alfredo R.A. Bengzon, Senior Vice President for Medical Services Group Dr. Eugenio Jose F. Ramos, CLDMT Head Dr. Vanessa De Villa, CPP Consultant-Director Dr. Florianne F. Valdes, and hepatologists Dr. Janus Ong and Dr. Eternity Labio. Dr. Ong is currently the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Hepatology Society of the Philippines while Dr. Labio is the immediate past president of the society. Dr. Edhel Tripon, TMC gastroenterologist and hepatologist, was the forum speaker.

The lay forum was part of TMC’s World Hepatitis Day celebration. This year’s theme for the global campaign is “ELIMINATION.” To achieve elimination, greater awareness, increased diagnosis and key interventions including universal vaccination are all necessary.

Dr. Tripon gave an overview about Hepatitis B and its effect on pregnant women or women of childbearing age. A baby can be infected during birth if the mother has hepatitis B.

Dr. Tripon stressed that all pregnant women should be screened for Hepatitis B as part of their routine prenatal evaluation and all newborn babies should be given the Hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth as stated in Republic Act no. 10152, An Act Providing for Mandatory Basic Immunization Services for Infants and Children.

“Eradication or elimination of the Hepatitis B virus is possible, and the solution is vaccination,” said Dr. Rossell-Ubial.

The Medical City joins the Health Department in promoting vaccination against Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B vaccine is given in three doses and it is important that the first dose is given to the newborn baby within 24 hours of birth as a way of protecting the child from the infection, which may lead to liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Prior to the lay forum, participants availed of free Hepatitis B screening at the 6th Floor lobby of The Medical City.

About CLDMT

The Medical City Center for Liver Disease Management and Treatment (CLDMT) was established as the institution’s response to the burden of Viral Hepatitis in the Philippines. It is composed of a group of highly trained specialists from multiple disciplines who take care of patients with liver diseases and actively participate in efforts to promote liver health and prevent liver diseases.

The CLDMT offers a wide array of diagnostic modalities and therapeutic options in the management of liver disease in close collaboration with other specialty units such as the Cancer Center, the Wellness Center, diagnostic and therapeutic radiology, Nutrition Management Services and the various clinical departments, especially Medicine and Surgery.

The CLDMT adopts a comprehensive approach to the problem of Hepatitis B, 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 (serology or blood tests [from routine biochemical tests to sophisticated serologic and , virologic testing) or study of viruses, radiologic imaging [e.g.ultrasound, Ultrasound, Computed Tomography(CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Magnetic Resonance Cholangio-Pancreatography (MRCP), Ttransient elastography [Fibroscan®], liver biopsy (percutaneous, laparoscopic, or transjugular approach) for viral hepatitis, counseling, vaccination, multidisciplinary conferences for individual cases and treatment of viral hepatitis.

Moreover, treatment options for all stages (early, intermediate, advanced) of liver cancer, which is a complication of Hepatitis B, are available at the CLDMT.
The CLDMT is likewise actively involved in research in viral hepatitis and liver cancer. The CLDMT is involved in multinational clinical trials on the treatment of viral hepatitis and liver cancer.

For inquiries, you may call the CLDMT at 9887000 local 6506.