The allocation of resources for the future treatment of hepatitis C must now be addressed because of the large number of people infected in the State, Dr Dermot Kelleher, a consultant gastroenterologist, said last night. Speaking at a public lecture to mark St James's Hospital's 25th anniversary, Dr Kelleher said the "pool of hepatitis C in the Irish population is very significant", made up of intravenous drug users and women infected through anti-D and contaminated blood products.
While only a small number of those go on to develop cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer, this would be a significant number in the State because of the large number infected. He said a large proportion would need liver transplants. Transplants were carried out at St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin.
"It is difficult to estimate accurately but the medical resources needed in the future will be quite considerable. The workload of the transplant unit will increase."
However, Dr Kelleher said the Irish people infected with hepatitis C appeared to have "milder disease" than other populations.
Speaking about tuberculosis in the State, Prof Conor Keane, consultant microbiologist at the hospital, said there was a need for a new vaccine for TB. "The BCG has been with us for a long time now and it is time that something better is developed."