Coverage of Hepatitis C by Dubai Health Insurance Plans
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) includes hepatitis C screening and treatment coverage under all Dubai health insurance plans. This Dubai health insurance initiative is especially beneficial to those with basic coverage, and reduces late diagnosis of the disease.
Read on to learn more about hepatitis C, the mandatory health insurance benefits, and other important facts about medical coverage in the Emirate.
What is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus; infection can lead to both chronic and acute hepatitis infection, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting only several weeks to a serious, lifelong condition. Hepatitis C can lead to serious liver complications if left untreated.
Acute Vs Chronic Hepatitis C
There are two forms of the disease, namely acute and chronic. Acute hepatitis C is characterized by short-term infection, which people often carry for only several months.
In many cases, people with acute hepatitis C will be asymptomatic. Those who are symptomatic will typically experience fatigue, muscle aches, loss of appetite, and vomiting.
According to Health Line, around 80 percent of those with acute hepatitis C develop the chronic version of the disease. Worryingly, up to 90 percent of the aforementioned 80 percent will develop severe liver damage.
It is also estimated that around 20 percent will develop cirrhosis (i.e. severe scarring of the liver).
Most patients with chronic hepatitis C do not show symptoms until they have reached the disease’s later stages, and the liver begins to fail; at which point symptoms can include weakness, weight loss, blood clots, and sometimes jaundice (in people with advanced cirrhosis).
Early diagnosis is thus critical in reducing complications.
How is the Virus Transmitted?
According to the WHO, the most common modes of infection are via:
- Improperly sterilized medical equipment
- Unsafe injection practices (e.g. sharing injection equipment)
- Unscreened blood and blood products
As a bloodborne virus, hepatitis C can also be transmitted sexually, as well as passed from an infected mother to her baby. These modes of transmission are less common than the ones mentioned above, however.
It is worth noting here that as the virus is bloodborne, it cannot be spread through breast milk, food, water, or via casual physical contact (e.g. hugging and kissing).
Those at an increased risk of contracting the virus include:
- People born to mothers infected with the disease
- People with HIV infection
- People with tattoos/piercings
- People with hepatitis C-infected sexual partners
- Recipients of blood products or medical procedures in facilities with inadequate hygiene practices
- People who inject drugs
Testing for Hepatitis C
The only way to confirm infection is via a blood test, the most common being the antibody test, which determines whether you’ve been exposed to the hepatitis C virus by checking for the presence of antibodies to the virus inside your body.
If you test positive, it means that you have been infected at some stage, but you may or may not be currently infected – the only way to tell if you currently have hepatitis C is to have a second blood test, namely a PCR test, which helps determine whether the virus is reproducing inside the body.
Treatment for Hepatitis C
The primary treatment for chronic hepatitis C involves direct-acting antiviral medications (DAAs). These drugs target the hepatitis C virus directly, significantly reducing its presence in the body. The most commonly prescribed DAAs include:
- Elbasvir/Grazoprevir (Zepatier®)
- Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir (Mavyret®)
- Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir (Harvoni®)
- Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir (Epclusa®)
- Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir/Voxilaprevir (Vosevi®)
DAAs are typically administered in tablet form, with treatment durations ranging from two to six months depending on the specific medication and the patient’s health status. Research indicates that these treatments can cure the majority of chronic hepatitis C cases and prevent long-term damage.
Monitoring and Follow-Up
After initiating treatment, healthcare providers closely monitor patients to assess their response to the therapy. This usually involves:
- Regular blood tests to check for the presence of the virus.
- Liver function tests to evaluate the overall health of the liver.
- Transient elastography, a non-invasive ultrasound-based test to measure liver stiffness, indicating the extent of fibrosis.
Managing Side Effects
While DAAs are generally well-tolerated, some individuals may experience side effects, including:
- Abdominal discomfort
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
Most side effects are mild and temporary, but patients should communicate with their healthcare team about any adverse effects they experience.
Lifestyle Considerations
In addition to antiviral therapy, lifestyle modifications can support liver health and enhance treatment outcomes. Patients are advised to:
- Avoid alcohol consumption to prevent further liver damage.
- Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
- Stay up-to-date with vaccinations for hepatitis A and B.
Dubai Health Insurance Plans and Hepatitis C Coverage
Dubai residents can access screening and treatment, even if they have the most basic medical coverage.
Other Important Coverages of Dubai Health Insurance Plans
In addition to hepatitis C coverage, mandatory health insurance in Dubai also covers (in full) the screening and treatment of breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer.
Other coverages of mandatory health insurance in Dubai include:
- Diabetes screening
- Heart disease screening
- Newborn & developmental screening (BCG, Hepatitis B, and neonatal tests)
To learn more about mandatory health insurance, visit its dedicated page on our website here.
Numerous Dubai health insurance plans go above and beyond the Emirate’s minimum insurance requirements. Those with more robust employer-provided or private health insurance plans in Dubai will benefit from superior peace of mind and far more extensive benefits.
Some of the most coveted features of comprehensive health insurance plans available from Pacific Prime Dubai include:
- International coverage
- Dental insurance benefits
- Vaccination coverage
- Optical treatment benefits
- Low/zero copays
- A wide range of preventative care benefits (e.g. yearly health check-ups)
- An extensive network of healthcare providers
- And many more
Get in Touch with Pacific Prime Dubai Today
If you have any healthcare or insurance-related questions, you’ve come to the right place!
As Dubai’s insurance broker of choice, our team is on hand to answer all your questions, match you with the best Dubai health insurance plans for your needs, and give you a free quote. You can rest assured that our recommendations offer the best value for money.
What’s more, you won’t be paying more for the same plan if you secure it via us, and our support and value-added services are all free to you. So, contact us today!
Since joining Pacific Prime, Martin has become even more aware of the gap between the true value of insurance products and most people’s appreciation of it, and developed a passion for demystifying and simplifying matters, so that more people get the protection they need at a cost they can easily afford.
In his free time, Martin attends concerts of various genres, and plays the violin with piano accompaniment he pre-recorded himself or played live by his niece.
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