Up to 30,000 cases of infectious hepatitis in Morocco, Official

Infectious hepatitis cases in Morocco range from 15,000 to 30,000 cases, i.e a prevalence of 0.5 percent, disclosed on Tuesday Moroccan Health Minister, Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah.

The Ministry has drawn up a national strategy to fight the disease through educational programs and awareness campaigns targeting the most exposed populations, said the Minister at the House of Advisors (Senate)'s question-time session. He noted that the ministry will also improve the epidemiological control system and will take in charge the persons affected by the disease.

He said his department is endeavouring to make the medicines used for the treatment of the disease tax-free, such as drugs used for HIV/AIDS, which would substantially decrease its costs.

According to the Minister, destitute patients can benefit of free care in public hospitals provided that they submit the required administrative documents.