Free screenings to raise hepatitis awareness at Pikeville Medical Center

(WYMT)
Published: Aug. 23, 2018 at 3:43 PM EDT
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Pikeville Medical Center hosted free screenings in recognition of hepatitis awareness at the East Kentucky Exposition Center in Pikeville Thursday.

From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. medical staff is on hand providing free screening for not only hepatitis but other serious medical issues facing the people of the region, such as COPD, cholesterol, blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease and more.

Pikeville Medical Center's Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fadi Al Akhrass said our region leads the nation in cases of hep. C and, to keep the same being said about hep. A, it will take everyone getting involved in the fight against the drug epidemic.

"Nobody can say this is not my problem. As long as you live in the community this is your problem," said Al Akhrass. "And you have to share your effort and your interest in helping this problem with the whole community. So we need everybody's effort to combat and prevent that epidemic problem from happening."

Health officials continue to urge everyone to get their hep. A vaccination and suggest washing your hands as the best preventative measure against the spreading of hep. A.