NHS treats 200 children with Hepatitis C

NHS England has announced a milestone of 200 children with Hep C being treated as part of a world-first programme.

The children, aged three to 18, were identified for treatment over the past two years and became the first in the world to receive curative anti-viral tablets with a treatment success rate of 99 per cent.

Hundreds more children are expected to receive treatment in the coming months and years and England is on track to be the first country in the world to eliminate the virus before the 2030 World Health Organization commitment.

The NHS estimates that almost half of the children treated for hepatitis C to date have been identified in the most deprived 20% of the country.

Children can get hepatitis from their birthing parent at the time of birth or from receiving healthcare abroad. If left untreated, Hepatitis C can cause liver cancer and other serious and potentially life-threatening damage over many years.

Sir Stephen Powis, medical director for NHS England, said: “This milestone of 200 children receiving potentially life-saving treatment is an extraordinary achievement for the NHS as we continue to make progress toward the goal to eliminate Hepatitis C in England way ahead of the 2030 target set by the World Health Organization.

“Giving children this treatment as early as possible can cure them of this devastating disease, stopping them from developing serious liver disease as well as hepatitis C-related liver cancer later in life.”

“The world-leading work the NHS is doing to find and cure children and adults living with hepatitis C is also a great advert for what can be achieved when the health service, life sciences industry and charities work together to get new treatments to those patients who need them.”

Darius's 10-year-old daughter Dominika was given the all-clear after receiving the antivirals as part of a world-first programme launched by NHS England in 2021.

He said: “We didn’t realise she had it at the time, but my wife passed the virus to my daughter when she was pregnant.

“Although my wife was treated immediately, my daughter was too young to start treatment. After waiting for Dominika to be old enough, we finally got the call for her appointment when the programme expanded.

“The new drugs that are used to treat the condition are absolutely brilliant.

“She had no side effects and just needed to take one pill a day. There was no problem at all.

“It’s hard to explain how amazing we felt when she was cleared of the virus, as it was such an emotional moment. We had waited a long time for her to be eligible, so it was great to have peace of mind. Thanks to the treatment, we can carry on with normal happy lives now.”

 

Image by Fujikama from Pixabay