WBO: screening for hepatitis

The Municipal Health Service and Medical Assistance at Accidents and Disasters (GGD-GHOR) want to launch pilot studies to screen first-generation non-Western migrants for hepatitis B and C. The Health Council’s Committee on Population Screening has advised on the question of whether a permit is required for these pilots studies, under the Population Screening Act (WBO). In the Committee’s view, the pilot studies do not require a permit under the WBO. The primary purpose of the screening is to detect people with an hepatitis B and C infection so that it can be treated. The purpose of the screening is also communicated as such to the (potential) participants. The Committee advises the State Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport to discard the permit application.