Tbilisi. The World Hepatitis Day was celebrated on July 28 in Georgia under the slogan "Treat Me As Well". The events in various cities of Georgia were organized by the Harm Reduction Network with the support of "Open Society - Georgia" Foundation, "Doctors of the World - France" and the EU. Over 200,000 persons live in Georgia with C Hepatitis. Treatment of this disease costs over 20,000 GEL and the majority of patients cannot afford paying this amount. Many of them were infected more than a decade ago and their treatment today is an immediate necessity.

The organizers have gathered in Tbilisi in front of the Parliament building, demanding the access to treatment. A symbolic run with hurdles was organized with participation of patients and other activists. At the finish the participants signed the treatment waiting list. The hurdles symbolized the increased treatment costs, while jumping over the hurdle - a symbolic payment of costs and the increased access.

Source: osgf.ge