Today 28 July, people all over the world are observing World Hepatitis Day under the theme “Hepatitis; Think again”. The day provides a special opportunity for all of us to focus attention on this disease which is a major public health threat in the world, including the African Region.
Viral hepatitis, caused by infection with hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E, is a serious yet under-recognized global public health problem affecting more than two billion people worldwide and causing about 1.4 million deaths every year. The African Region has a high number of cases of hepatitis A and E with outbreaks of hepatitis E recently reported in several countries. It is estimated that 18 million people in the African Region are chronically infected with hepatitis C. These infections lead to chronic disease which can cause severe complications such as cancer of the liver. Regrettably most people with chronic viral hepatitis are not aware of their infection and therefore do not receive appropriate treatment.
Viral hepatitis can be prevented through various ways. These include ensuring safe blood transfusion; adopting safe injection practices; strengthening infection control practices in all health facilities; increasing access to safe drinking water and food; improving personal hygiene; and ensuring proper disposal of sanitary waste within communities. It is gratifying to note that a safe and effective vaccine is widely available for prevention of hepatitis B infection. The vaccine has been introduced into routine childhood vaccination schedules in 46 countries in the African Region and 72% of children have already received the three doses as recommended. However, more needs to be done to reach the 90% target that has been set.
Although many new and effective means of treatment that can significantly delay the advancement of liver disease, prevent deaths and reduce the onset of liver cancer are available for people living with hepatitis B and C virus infections, these are expensive and not accessible to most people in the African Region. As we commemorate World Hepatitis Day, I urge all partners to work jointly with governments of countries of the Region to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies and facilitate equitable access to effective, affordable and safe medicine for treatment of hepatitis B and C.
Tackling the scourge of viral hepatitis effectively will require significant human and financial resources. I therefore call upon countries in the Region to develop strategies to scale up access to counseling, testing and treatment for hepatitis B and C especially in poor and at-risk communities, in line with WHO guidelines. Training of Primary health Care workers in the diagnosis, management and treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B and C will contribute immensely towards tackling these diseases.
As we commemorate World Hepatitis Day today, I urge all countries to raise public awareness about the disease especially among people at high risk.
Let us all “think again” about hepatitis and strengthen our efforts to address this silent global public health threat.
I thank you for your attention.