Syria hopes to keep up with scientific advancements Damascus - Arab Today Syria is continuing to provide free treatment for hepatitis, the health ministry revealed in a statement. Free treatment for communicable and chronic diseases, including hepatitis, costs the ministry more than SYP six billion, according to Director of Communicable and Chronic Diseases Department Dr Kinaz Sheikh. \"Every hepatitis patient, however, costs SYP 500,000-700,000 annually, including injections and oral medications,\" Dr Sheikh added. She pointed out that the ministry provides free services at seven centres for hepatitis treatment in Damascus, Homs, Aleppo, Lattakia, Deir Ezzor and Hama, noting that work is underway to open new centres in the rest of the provinces. \"The number of cases with hepatitis B, C being treated is 3,000 patients\" she revealed. Dr Sheikh highlighted that it is the ministry\'s current priority to keep pace with the latest scientific advancements regarding hepatitis treatment to ensure better services in terms of prevention as well as treatment. Hepatitis is a medical condition defined by the inflammation of the liver and characterised by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ. Hepatitis may occur with limited or no symptoms, but often leads to jaundice, anorexia (poor appetite) and malaise. The World Health Organisation marked World Hepatitis Day on July 28 to commemorate the birthday of professor Baruch Samuel Blumberg who identified hepatitis B virus. Source: SANA