Messi to launch hepatitis C campaign in Egypt

Argentinian footballer Messi is set to arrive in Egypt today to raise awareness of hepatitis C; the visit had been previously postponed by Barcelona Football Club’s scathing 4-0 defeat to the Parisian team Paris-Saint-Germain last week.

The campaign was announced on Twitter using the hashtag #AWorldfreeofHepatitisC.

The event is coordinated by the Egyptian medical tourism group Tour n’ Cure who use a combination of tourism and medical treatment to highlight the critical issue of hepatitis C.  Tour n’ Cure is due to live stream Messi’s visit this evening on its Twitter account.

Egypt has been highlighted for its success in treating around a million patients affected by the illness. The country is considered to have the highest rate of infection; with 10 per cent of Egyptians, nearly nine million people having contracted the disease.

The World Health Organisation has commended Egypt on its success in getting the necessary medication to those in need.

The worldwide sports star is not alone in his venture out to the North African country; he is set to be joined by long time team mate Dani Alves who was the first ambassador brought on board by the campaign.

The current manager of Wadi Degla, former Egypt international who played for Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur, Ahmed Hossam Mido has also become an ambassador of the campaign.

https://twitter.com/MessiQuote/status/834018215760113664

Messi is set to be given a tour of the Giza pyramids followed by the launch ceremony for the campaign.