Free Hepatitis Blood Tests in Support of World Hepatitis Day

Today (July 28) marks World Hepatitis Day, with an organization launching mobile testing vans to provide free tests to the public across the city.

The testing van, staffed by two nurses and two medical students on rotating shifts, offers rapid blood tests for hepatitis B and C and will refer citizens to specialists for free consultation.

At the launch ceremony this morning, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau emphasized the importance of preventive measures. He noted that many hepatitis patients and carriers are asymptomatic, with the disease often going undetected until it progresses to severe hepatitis, liver failure, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.

The testing vehicle will first visit Tsuen Wan in mid-August. The Hong Kong Liver Foundation aims to reach at least 100,000 citizens by 2030 to identify hidden hepatitis cases in the community.

According to a Department of Health survey last year, about 5.6 percent of Hong Kong's population, approximately 410,000 people, have chronic hepatitis B.