A crucial meeting dedicated to raising awareness and preventing viral hepatitis and HIV was held at the San Giovanni a Teduccio complex of the University of Naples Federico II. The event saw the participation of experts, institutions, associations, citizens, local schools, law enforcement and Emergency, all united in the fight against these serious pathologies.
A long debate on prevention and citizen well-being characterized the day, organized to bring infectious diseases to the center of the debate, with the aim of ensuring that knowledge becomes the shield for the new generations. The initiative of high social and educational value was promoted by Councilor Mariarca Viscovo who together with Prof. Ivan Gentile demonstrated a strong commitment in the realization of the event which was inaugurated with institutional greetings from Dr. Alessandro Fucito, President of the 6 ° Municipality of the Municipality of Naples together with Dr. Mariarca Viscovo, Legal and Councilor for social policies and work and with Dr. Giuseppe Gambardella, Consul of the Republic of Bénin in Naples.
Prof. Ivan Gentile, Director of the Infectious Diseases Unit of the AOU Federico II, outlined the objectives of the meeting, with particular focus on HIV, HBV and HCV, highlighting the current knowledge on these diseases and the intervention strategies available also representing of SIMIT (Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases). In fact, he underlined: “These infections are often underestimated by young people, but prevention depends above all on behaviors, including those for safe sex. There are preventive weapons such as the hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis C therapies that can lead to eradication, i.e. complete recovery in 95% of cases. Regarding HIV, unfortunately we continue to see patients with advanced disease, despite the availability of drugs that can control the disease in our national healthcare system.”
Councilor Mariarca Viscovo declared: “Public health is a fundamental pillar of social and labor policies. Today more than ever it is crucial to educate our citizens, and especially young people, on the importance of preventing infectious diseases which requires a multidisciplinary approach in line with One Health. It is not a problem confined to healthcare facilities alone; it involves justice, the education system, the third sector and local institutions. The presence of the penitentiary reality is of particular importance because it represents a bridge between the health system and the judicial system, ensuring the protection of the most vulnerable sections of society. Knowing means being able to act in a conscious and responsible manner, and this event represents a significant step in this direction.”
The event continued with a series of round tables, led by Enzo Agliardi, Director of Videometro news network. The first session addressed HBV and HCV viral hepatitis, with interventions by Dr. Ernesto Claar (Hepatology Unit – Evangelico Betania Hospital), Dr. Nicola Palmiero (Director of the Center for Juvenile Justice of Campania), Dr. Lorenzo Acampora , (Director of the health protection unit in the penitentiary institutions of the ASL Napoli1), of Dr. Biagio Pinchera (UOC Infectious Diseases – AOU Federico II), of Dr. Marco Bartoli (EPAC Association) and of Dr. Vincenza Conturso (SerD 32) .
To give further prestige to the round tables was the intervention of Prof. Matteo Lorito, Magnificent Rector of the University of Naples Federico II who with great enthusiasm declared “An important event in which local politics, active and also strong-willed in doing prevention and universities, therefore great experts on these topics, because we are talking about those who in our Polyclinic then managed the complicated phase of Covid, got together and created a day of information, knowledge, awareness, addressing the people who need to be careful. So thanks to the young Councilor Mariarca Viscovo and thanks to those who came here this morning together with our professors who were very sensitive and very good at making their contribution in an informative and intelligent way”. Subsequently, HIV was discussed with the participation of Dr. Emanuela Zappulo and Dr. Giovanni Di Filippo (both from the UOC Infectious Diseases – AOU Federico II) and the Associazione Salute Antinoo Arcigay Napoli.
Participants had the opportunity to interact with experts, promoting an exchange of knowledge and opinions on the prevention of infectious diseases. Also present were the Mayor of Casamarciano Clemente Primiano, the Councilor of the Municipality of Ischia Luigi Di Vaia and the secondary schools of the area with representation of children (ISIS Archimede, L.SC. Calamandrei, IPSEOA Cavalcanti, ISIS Livatino, Iis Sannino DeCillis).
Dr. Immacolata Viscovo, Preventive Medicine biologist stated: “Preventive medicine supported by public policies and scientific research, together with the promotion of healthy lifestyles, represents the key to improving the health of the population.”
The meeting concluded with key messages from Dr. Mariarca Viscovo and Dr. Ernesto Claar who added: “Today’s event highlighted the importance of collaboration between institutions, the scientific community, civil society and local schools in fight against viral hepatitis and HIV. Awareness and prevention are the main tools to protect citizens’ health and require continuous and joint commitment.”
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