Upcoming: Discussion: "Why does nearly one in three people with hepatitis C remain without treatment in 2024?"

On May 12, 2025, at 1:30 PM at the Da Vinci Hall, Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia, a discussion will be held on the topic: “Why does nearly one in three people with hepatitis C remain without treatment in 2024?”

The event is organized by the Bulgarian Society of Gastroenterology and the HepActive Association, with the support of the Bulgarian Medical Association.

“Unfortunately, four people die every day in Bulgaria from hepatitis B and C due to untimely diagnosis and treatment. In 2024, only 752 people with hepatitis C were treated in our country, while over 9,000 are needed to achieve the goals of eliminating hepatitis B and C as a public health threat by 2030. Regarding hepatitis B, only 2,500 patients are being treated, while at least 28,000 newly discovered cases are required,” the organizers reported.

Panelists for the discussion will include:

• Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev, MD, PhD – Chief State Health Inspector of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ministry of Health;

• Dr. Nikolay Branzalov – President of the Bulgarian Medical Association;

• Prof. Krasimir Antonov, MD, DSc – President of the Bulgarian Society of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Abdominal Ultrasound, Head of the Department for Diagnosis, Treatment, and Follow-up of Patients with Viral Hepatitis, Porphyria, and Liver Pathology in Transplantation at the Clinic of Gastroenterology of UMBAL “St. Ivan Rilski”;

• Assoc. Prof. Radin Tsonev, MD, PhD – Head of the Hepatology Center and Head of the Gastroenterology Department at Acibadem City Clinic UMBAL “Tokuda”;

• Silvana Lesidrenska – Chairperson of the HepActive Association and a patient with chronic hepatitis B;

• Patients.