A COMPARISON REVIEW OF THE CLINICAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES PROVIDED TO LIVER DISEASE PATIENTS IN THE GCC

Abstract

Liver diseases are a critical health concern in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Fatty liver disease andviral hepatitis are the two most common liver-disease-related health problems in the region. Hepatocellularcarcinoma development adds to the burden of liver cirrhosis. Given the importance of identifying patientswith liver disease, it is essential to examine the GCC’s healthcare services. The goal of this study was tocompare the clinical care services provided to liver disease patients in GCC member countries. Asystematic comparative analysis of GCC studies from 2014 to 2020 on related topics was conducted.Articles relevant to liver disease prevalence rate, incidence, and clinical healthcare services, includingmental health support, palliative care, liver surgery and transplantation, management of viral hepatitis Band C, dental care services, HBV and pregnancy, vaccination among HCWs and national screening wereincluded in this study. The study results showed that most of the clinical healthcare services provided toliver disease patients are available in all GCC member countries. The prevalence of communicablediseases has significantly decreased among the GCC countries, indicating that there are successfulhealthcare systems for tracking and controlling disease spread at the level of the GCC. The same can besaid of the management of viral hepatitis in Gulf countries. Despite the similarities of clinical servicesprovided to liver disease patients, the study concluded that there were differences in the availability of livertransplantation programs and the level of palliative care among GCC member countries.