Free treatment

According to statistics from the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine as of November 18, 2024, 5%of Ukraine’s population is infected with the hepatitis C virus, 3.6% of whom have chronic hepatitis C. In 2024, only 105,945 people with HCV were under medical supervision, meaning 7.9%—only one in 12 people—are aware of their condition and have sought help. 1.5% of the population has chronic hepatitis B, which amounts to 559,341 people; 21,348 of them—or 3.8%—are under medical supervision, meaning only one in 25 people are aware of their condition and have sought help. The estimated number of HDV cases is 5% of HBV cases, i.e., 27,967 people. In Ukraine, there are no official statistics on the prevalence of hepatitis D. According to available data, 126 people diagnosed with hepatitis D sought medical help. 

The Press Service of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine recommends screening for hepatitis D for all individuals over the age of 18.

Who should definitely get tested for hepatitis B and C:

• if you have had a piercing or tattoo;
• if you’ve had permanent makeup, manicures, or pedicures at beauty salons and aren’t sure if the tools are properly sterilized there;
• if basic hygiene rules are violated, such as sharing a razor, nail scissors, or other items that may carry blood with family members;
• you have had surgical procedures;
• you have received blood products;
• you have had an organ or tissue transplant;
• you have undergone hemodialysis;
• your work involves a risk of contact with another person’s blood; 
• after medical procedures, if sanitary rules for instrument sterilization, blood testing before transfusion, etc., were not followed;
• you have used injectable or other drugs;
• if you have had a significant number of sexual partners and have practiced unprotected sex; 
• members of your family have been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B or C.

How can I get diagnosed and treated at public expense?

Steps for people who want to find out their hepatitis status (HBV, HCV) and receive the necessary treatment:

• Contact the family doctor with whom you have signed a declaration; 
• Your family doctor can offer you a screening using rapid tests; 
• if the test result is positive, you will need to undergo additional testing (HBV, HCV), which your doctor will explain to you; 
• If you already know you have viral hepatitis, you can immediately contact an infectious disease specialist in your area;
• The patient undergoes testing (approximately 1–3 days) and submits all necessary lab tests in accordance with medical standards;
• If the diagnosis is confirmed, remind the infectious disease specialist about the government hepatitis treatment program;
• After the patient has undergone examinations and tests, the infectious disease specialist should refer you to the nearest healthcare facility that distributes state-purchased medications for the treatment of viral hepatitis and provides services for the diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis, with a request to receive free treatment;
• Write a letter addressed to the director of the healthcare facility requesting treatment under the state program;
• If your healthcare facility says there are no medications available, check this information via the link;
• If the information provided by the healthcare facility does not match the data on the website of the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, follow this procedure: 
• Because the supply of medications is limited, patients sometimes need to wait in line to receive free treatment funded by the state. This treatment is primarily provided to patients with severe liver damage and other conditions that accelerate the progression of hepatitis.
• begin a course of treatment at one of the above-mentioned healthcare facilities.

If your family doctor has refused to provide free testing for viral hepatitis B or C:

•  immediately contact the Contact Center of the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) at 16-77;
•  More details: How and where to file a complaint about a violation of your rights at a medical facility. Recommendations from the NHSU 

If a referral hospital refuses to provide medication for hepatitis B or C:

• be sure to report the issue by filling out the contact form below.