RIYADH, 24 October — A pharmaceutical company has established a new award to recognize media role in generating public awareness about the viral disease hepatitis C. The award will be given to journalists who published material about the disease in print and electronic media.
The winner of the "Roche National Award for Hepatitis C Journalism" will receive a cash prize of SR10,000, while the first runner-up will get SR5,000 and the second runner-up SR5,000.
Dr. A. A. Mejri, country manager of F. Hoffman-La Roche Saudi Arabia, which set up the award, said a team of specialized doctors will choose the winners. Reports on topics related to hepatitis C, published or broadcast between Oct. 1, 2002, and March 30, 2003, will be considered for the award.
Dr. Mejri said the awards are meant to recognize Saudi journalists who demonstrate interest in covering health care issues.
"Increased public awareness about hepatitis C is essential to help stem this growing health problem," he said.
Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
According to WHO estimates, hepatitis C virus has infected more than 170 million adults worldwide. The Kingdom has nearly 500,000 infected cases, despite a recent drop in exposure rates. The prevalence rate in the Kingdom was put at 2.7 percent.
Dr. Mejri called on people to take preventive measures to check the spread of the disease.
"People should ensure that they never come in contact with contaminated blood. They should be particularly careful about using razors, blades or toothbrushes," he said.
