A War on Another Front: Ukraine's Fight Against Hepatitis C
A War on Another Front: Ukraine's Fight Against Hepatitis C
"It doesn't matter if they kill me, but it's better to die healthy," said 48-year-old Maksym, as he told his story about how he overcame hepatitis C virus (HCV) while living in an area of east Ukraine that's been under regular Russian bombardment.
Keeping infectious diseases under control remains a priority for the millions of war-displaced people in Ukraine. But while the outcome of the war remains unknown, Maksym has, at least, fought and won his battle against HCV.
War and infectious diseases are two sides of the same tarnished coin. Spilled blood, poor hygiene, contaminated water, overcrowding, poverty, and destruction of healthcare infrastructure all contribute to a problem that is as old as war itself.
But the surge in HCV infections started decades ago. (Medscape, 20.10.2023)