Ministry of Health Conducted “ETMAEN YA HAJJ” Campaign to Combat Risk of Hepatitis C Among Pilgrims

During this year’s Hajj season the Ministry of Health (MOH) conducted its “Etmaen Ya Hajj” campaign to create awareness about the risk of infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the ways of prevention among pilgrims.  

The campaign was conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Hajj, the Saudi Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and Transplantation (SASLT) and sponsored by AbbVie, a leading global research-based biopharmaceutical company.

The “Etmaen” campaign was launched in support of the Saudi Vision 2030 to eliminate the hepatitis C virus in the Kingdom. As part of the campaign the MOH distributed 5000 free dental kits and razor blades branded with “Etmaen”. Distribution took place at various locations in Makkah and Mashaer during this year’s Hajj season from 9—14 September 2016. 

In addition, the MOH distributed 50,000 medical gloves to emergency rooms in Makkah hospitals including Heraa Hospital, Al Noor Hospital, King Abdulaziz Hospital and Arafat Hospital, as well as to other ER units. The campaign also included the distribution of thousands of educational flyers about the Hepatitis C Virus.

Social media accounts of the MOH, SASLT, Makkah Amana and other institutions covered live events of the campaign with feedback from their tweets amounting around 50,000 views and shares.

Commenting on behalf of the MOH, the Assistant Deputy Minister for Preventive Health, said:  “The Ministry of Health is committed to protecting the health of Saudi citizens, residents and pilgrims. The objective of the ‘Etmaen’ campaign is to prevent the spread of HCV and to educate the public about the disease and the new cures available and provided by the MOH.”

Also commenting from the MOH, Assistant Director General of Health Affairs for Public Health in Makkah region, said. “Etmaen Ya Hajj was one of the most successful heath campaigns of the year and played a key role in creating awareness among pilgrims on the importance of personal hygiene and the need to take great care of personal toiletries such as tooth brushes and shaving equipment in order to protect themselves against infection by the hepatitis C virus.”   

Adding his remarks, the President of the Saudi Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and Transplantation (SASLT), thanked the Ministry of Health for conducting “Etmaen Ya Hajj” and AbbVie for sponsoring the campaign, saying:  “HCV can cause serious liver damage and this campaign highlights the burden that HCV imposes on patients and their families, as well as creating awareness about the HCV modes of transmission and what precautions to take to prevent infection.”

“Etmaen Ya Hajj” is part of the Etmaen campaign launched by the Ministry of Health in partnership with AbbVie to raise awareness about HCV and methods to prevent transmission of the disease, especially during the Hajj season, which is one of the most important occasions when strict precautions needs to be taken.