Adjumani, 6th August 2014:- Uganda commemorated the World Hepatitis Day (WHD) with weeklong series of activities  under the theme “Hepatitis; Think again”. The national  commemoration was held at Mayors Garden in Adjumani district presided over by the Minister of Sate of Health (Primary Health Care) Hon Sarah Opendi Ocieng.

 Hon Opendi reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure that test kits for testing Hepatitis are readily available  at all health facilities and that  phased accessibility of the monovalent Hepatitis B vaccine for the adult population is  rolled out.

 The Minister noted that although the Pentavalent Vaccine was introduced into the Routine Immunization schedule in 2002, mothers and caretakers are not taking their children for the free vaccination. She singled out some religious sects that discourage their followers from accessing health services and education emphasizing that this must stop.

 At the same function, the WHO Country Representative Dr Wondimagegnehu Alemu who was represented by the National Professional Officer/Accelerated Immunization Initiatives Mr. Andrew Bakainaga, called for focused attention on this disease which is now a major public health threat globally.

Dr. Alemu urged parents to ensure their children are fully immunized, that is, receive all doses of vaccine as stipulated in the immunization schedule, before their first birthday (1year). He reaffirmed WHO’s readiness “to support the Ministry of Health and civil society in addressing this silent killer”.   

This year, marks the 4th annual World Hepatitis Day. Globally Nearly 400 million persons are living with Hepatitis B or hepatitis C, and more than 1 million die annually due to the infection. In Uganda a study conducted in 2009 has documented that the Hepatitis B core Antibody (HBcAb) was present in 52.3% (95% CI: 51.0–53.6) of adults, and Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) in 10.3% (9.5–11.1). By 15–19 years of age, 40.0% had been infected with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Based on these estimates, more than 1.4 million adults in Uganda are chronically infected  with HBV (Rosamund F Lewis et al)

The 67th World Health Assembly (WHA) held in May  2014  reaffirmed the global commitment to prevent and control viral hepatitis by adopting resolution WHA 67.6 (1), which calls for raising public awareness, improving surveillance, strengthening prevention interventions, and increasing access to care and treatment services. 

The main highlights of the day were screening for Hepatitis B and vaccination which were all provided at the Boma Grounds. A Total of 5,500 people underwent screening and 3000 were vaccinated.

 Hon Sarah Opendi Ocieng also underwent Hepatitis public screening to build confidence and  encourage public participation in the screening and vaccination exercise.

For more information, please contact:

Mwebembezi Edmond
Public Information Officer
World Health Organization
Plot 60, Prince Charles Drive, Kololo
Tel. +256 313 33550
Cell: +256 782 962674
Email: emwebembezi [at] gmail.com

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1. Thousands turned up for Hepatitis B screening
2. Left to Right Minister of State for Health Ms Sarah Opendi Ochieng Mr Andrew Bakainaga National Professional Officer WHO and  Dr Amandua Jacinto Commissioner Clinical Services Ministry of Health
3. Hon Minister of Health, Sarah Opendi Ochieng giving a blood sample for Hepatitis B Screening