SINGAPORE - Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and the National University Hospital (NUH) will hold free hepatitis C talks and screening on two Saturdays in July.

The events are being held in conjunction with World Hepatitis Day, on July 28, NUH said at a media briefing on Thursday (July 14).

TTSH will hold its session on July 23 between 12.30pm and 5pm, at the Theatrette on Level 1.

The session at NUH will take place on July 30, from 8am to noon, at NUHS Tower Block, at the auditorium on Level 1.

The talks will be conducted in English and Mandarin, and the blood screening results will be mailed to participants.

Those interested to attend must register at http://www.worldhepdayscreening.com.sg. They can also call 6665-6980 for more information.

An estimated 29,000 people in Singapore are living with the hepatitis C virus, which spreads when an infected person's blood enters the bloodstream of another person. It can lead to liver damage, the hardening of the liver and liver cancer.

Poor screening rates mean a vast majority of patients are unaware that they have the disease, leaving them at risk of developing complications or die, said Professor Lim Seng Gee, senior consultant at NUH's division of gastroenterology and hepatology.