Bamba Kane advocates for free hepatitis treatment in Senegal

Professor Bamba Kane, the coordinator of the National Program to Fight Hepatitis in Senegal, is pushing for free medical treatment to combat hepatitis B and C. While the country aims to eliminate these viruses by 2030, patients still face financial barriers. For example, a box of tenofovir, a common medication for the disease, costs 5,000 francs CFA despite government subsidies.

Kane highlighted the scale of the issue, noting that about 85% of Senegalese people have been exposed to the hepatitis B virus. He praised the SEN-B project, led by Professor Moussa Seydi, which provided free consultations and exams to more than 1,000 patients. Kane wants to use the scientific data from this project to secure more national and international funding to improve prevention and access to care.

Fatou Nguirane, the president of the Safara Hépatite Sénégal association, expressed concern over rising costs for screening and vaccination. She urged program leaders to make these services more accessible. The SEN-B project, which began in 2019, combines clinical research, prevention, and social sciences to address the epidemic.