According to a nationwide survey, 2.65 per cent of the total population has been infected with Hepatitis C and 6.7 per cent of people with, Hepatitis B, said Professor Dr. Win Win Swe, the dean of Liver Department at North Okkalapa People’s Hospital.

According to the global survey, 150 million people suffer from Hepatitis C. About 80 million patients suffer chronic diseases and liver cirrhosis. About 19.4 million people die of Hepatitis C every year. The number of patients who come to the hospitals is relatively low. Only 10 per cent of patients come to hospitals and clinics, she added.

The ministry conducted this survey in 2015 and continues using this survey result. But the ministry has not conducted a survey of the deaths of patients infected with Hepatitis C.

“Hepatitis C is transmitted through exposure to infected blood or bodily fluids that contain blood. We are educating the people about the prevention against Hepatitis C virus infection. There is no vaccine against Hepatitis C. There is medicine for treatment of Hepatitis C. The people can get vaccinated against Hepatitis B.