World Hepatitis Day, celebrated on July 28th every year, brings attention to the global burden of hepatitis and the urgent need to tackle this preventable and treatable disease. This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) is focusing on the theme “One life, one liver,” emphasizing the importance of everyone, everywhere having access to timely hepatitis testing and treatment.
The South-East Asia Region, which accounts for a significant proportion of the global hepatitis mortality burden, must take action to address this silent killer and achieve the Sustainable Development Goal target of eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
World Hepatitis Day: The Global Burden of Hepatitis
Globally, an estimated 354 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B and C infections. Tragically, nearly 1.1 million people die annually from hepatitis-related complications, including liver cirrhosis and cancer.
One of the most challenging aspects of hepatitis is that hundreds of millions of individuals remain unaware of their infection, leading to the disease being labeled as the “silent killer.”
World Hepatitis Day: The Role of Vaccination and Treatment
Fortunately, safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent hepatitis B, and antiviral drugs can effectively manage chronic hepatitis B and cure most cases of hepatitis C. However, to achieve these positive outcomes and eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat, it is crucial to ensure access to prompt and accurate testing.
World Hepatitis Day: Hepatitis in the South-East Asia Region
- The South-East Asia Region faces a significant burden of hepatitis, accounting for approximately 20% of global hepatitis mortality.
- Within the region, an estimated 81% of all hepatitis-related deaths are attributable to hepatitis B and C. Chronic hepatitis B affects around 60 million people, while about 10.5 million people live with chronic hepatitis C.
- Shockingly, the Region experiences almost half a million new hepatitis B and C infections every year, equivalent to one new infection every minute.
World Hepatitis Day: Progress and Challenges in the Region
Some progress has been made in the Region concerning hepatitis vaccination. Nine countries have achieved coverage of over 90% of the third dose of hepatitis B vaccine, and eight countries now provide the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose. Additionally, four countries have successfully controlled hepatitis B through vaccination.
However, timely access to testing and treatment for hepatitis B and C remains a significant challenge. Only 10.5% of people eligible for hepatitis B treatment know their status, with a mere 4.5% currently receiving treatment.
Similarly, for hepatitis C, just 6.9% of eligible individuals are aware of their status, and only 23% of them have access to treatment.
WHO Call for Action
To accelerate region-wide access to hepatitis testing and treatment, the WHO urges action in several key areas:
1. Incorporating Hepatitis Testing and Treatment into Essential Health Services
Policy makers should integrate hepatitis testing and treatment into packages of essential primary health care services. This means ensuring that testing and treatment are accessible within the community, close to where people live and work, and included as part of universal health coverage.
2. Empowering and Engaging Vulnerable Communities on Hepatitis Day
Health and community leaders should reach out to, empower, and engage vulnerable and high-risk communities. Additionally, initiatives should focus on reaching people from all walks of life, taking inspiration from the success of similar approaches used in tackling HIV.
3. Integrating Services for Hepatitis, HIV, and STIs
Policy makers and health care providers, including those in the private sector, should actively integrate services for hepatitis, HIV, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This alignment can be achieved by following the Region’s integrated Action Plan for Viral Hepatitis, HIV, and STIs 2022–2030 and focusing on increasing efficiency while reducing gaps and fragmentation.
4. Realignment of Funding
Countries must consider reallocating funding for hepatitis, HIV, and STIs based on their current disease burdens. This realignment should prioritize delivering maximum impact in the fight against these diseases.
Ambitious but Achievable Targets
The targets set by WHO are ambitious but achievable. By 2030, the goal is to achieve a 90% reduction in new chronic hepatitis infections and a 65% reduction in hepatitis mortality. Eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat is the ultimate objective.
Conclusion
On World Hepatitis Day, the WHO emphasizes its support to all countries in the South-East Asia Region, urging them to take swift and equitable action to improve access to hepatitis testing and treatment. Together, we can work towards healthier livers and healthier lives for everyone, everywhere.
For more updates follow Allinfohere
FAQs
What is the theme for this year’s World Hepatitis Day?
The theme for this year’s World Hepatitis Day is “One life, one liver,” stressing the importance of universal access to hepatitis testing and treatment.
How many people are estimated to live with chronic hepatitis B and C globally?
Globally, an estimated 354 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B and C infections.
How many new hepatitis B and C infections occur each year in the South-East Asia Region?
The South-East Asia Region witnesses almost half a million new hepatitis B and C infections every year, approximately one new infection every minute.
What is the South-East Asia Region’s contribution to the global hepatitis mortality burden?
The South-East Asia Region accounts for about 20% of the global hepatitis mortality burden.
What are the main challenges in combating hepatitis in the Region?
Timely access to testing and treatment for hepatitis B and C remains a significant challenge in the South-East Asia Region, with only a small percentage of eligible individuals aware of their status and receiving treatment.