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Letter
From Ministry of Health

REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
Sofia 1000, 5 St. Nedelya sq,                                         Phone 9301316 Fax 9811833

Ref. # 97-R-16
Sofia, 27 May, 2005
TO:

MRS RENETA STOYANOVA
[address]
VARNA
COPY: ATANAS SHTEREV
CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION ON HEALTH
Your Ref. # N-5194-R-6/29 March, 2005


DEAR MRS STOYANOVA,


          With reference to your letter of enquiry about information concerning the measures for limiting the dissemination of hepatitis C virus among the patients on hemodialysis treatment, we inform you as follows:
          The measures to prevent and control nosocomial infections (NI), including the viruses of hepatitis B and C, are regulated by Regulation # 2 of 10 Jan 2005 issued by the Ministry of Health. In carrying out its functions, the MH will be assisted by a Reference Center on nosocomial infections. The control on NI prevention in the hospitals on the territory of each region is executed by the correspondent regional inspectorate for public health protection.
          A Medical Standard concerning the separate kinds of NI and the specific measures for their prevention is now in the process of making.
          In order to decrease the frequency of dissemination of hepatitis B and C among the medical staff, universal protective means are provided on a regular basis. The Ministry of Health has developed methodological instructions for medical staff protection from these infections as well as for post-exposition prevention.
          The dialysis of patients who carry the virus of hepatitis B or C is done on separate HD machines according to the requirements of the medical standard on dialysis treatment and observation of the standards of disinfection and sterilization.
          In view of the above said as well as the mechanism of dissemination of hepatitis C and observation of the complex anti-epidemic measures, the risk of infection in hemodialysis wards is highly limited.
          For more detailed statistical information you could write to the National Center of Health Information (NCHI): address for contacts: 15 Acad. Iv. Geshov Blvd, Sofia.



Chief Secretary:    
Krasimir Gigov, MD, Assoc. Professor
(signature illegible)
(Seal: Republic of Bulgaria, Ministry of Health, Sofia)