Increasing Access to Effective Treatment
Dr Saruul Batulzii joined the National Center for Communicable Diseases in 1996 and became the head of the outpatient clinic in 2009. The Center is the leading organization addressing viral hepatitis in Mongolia. Dr Batulzii is responsible for people with chronic viral hepatitis, their diagnosis and treatment when they are moved into outpatient care following an inpatient admission.
Dr Batulzii has been involved in developing the national guidelines for hepatitis C as well as B and D (delta). These national guidelines are the official policy documents that guide hepatitis diagnosis and treatment for physicians. Since Mongolia has such a high proportion of hepatitis D among people with hepatitis B, diagnosing and treating hepatitis B is especially challenging.
Recently, a national hepatitis database was developed and rolled out, and this is improving the coordination of diagnosis and treatment. The database includes detailed information about people with hepatitis and is accessible by 130–140 registered doctors nationwide. Information includes the unique patient ID number, diagnostic data and information from the beginning to the end of the treatment of each person with hepatitis. This database strategy meets the priorities of the Regional Action Plan for Viral Hepatitis in the Western Pacific 2016–2020 for standardized surveillance and data collection.
“I have been working in this field for 20 years, and with the new hepatitis treatments, people with hepatitis are more thankful and respectful towards physicians than ever before. This really motivates me, as I see people with hepatitis get treatment, being cured and feeling better.”
-Dr. Batulzii
Dr Batulzii emphasizes the importance of the Regional Action Plan, since one country cannot fight against viral hepatitis alone. As Mongolia joins this fight, it can also follow the actions of other countries.
“I have been working in this field for 20 years”, says Dr Batulzii, “and with the new hepatitis treatments, people with hepatitis are more thankful and respectful towards physicians than ever before. This really motivates me, as I see people with hepatitis get treatment, being cured and feeling better.”
So far, in 2016, the National Center for Communicable Diseases has provided treatment to 213 people with hepatitis C. During the three months of the programme, they had a 99% cure rate.
Dr Batulzii says, “Twenty people are taking medication under my direct guidance, one of which decided to get treatment later. Nineteen have been cured, with one delaying treatment. Four are continuing their treatment for six months, in accordance with our guidelines, because they have cirrhosis. A second group of people will start receiving treatment soon. We have registered about 700 people, but for now we do not know how many will be able to begin.”
She adds, “It is important that awareness and education be provided, especially for youths and young adults. For example, if it is not necessary, do not get tattoos, avoid cuts and scratches to your skin and exercise care in having non-medical treatments such as acupuncture. These practices use needles in the skin and can infect people with viral hepatitis unless precautions are taken. People should understand these kinds of information to prevent themselves from getting infected with viral hepatitis.”
In general, all people who were born before the 1990s in Mongolia should get tested. Young adults should get tested, and if they do not have viral hepatitis, then they should receive hepatitis B vaccination.
Do Your Part!
Across the Western Pacific Region, hugely important steps and actions are taking place to help to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. This collection of stories celebrates the heroes who are leading the fight against hepatitis.