From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
As the world marks the 2023 World Hepatitis Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that more people might come down with different types of hepatitis because of increasing chances of transmission and other exposures.
WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti, in a message to commemorate the day, challenged African and global leaders to support and intensify a campaign aimed at educating and enlightening the people on the issues that concern different types of hepatitis and the dangers of contracting the disease.
She said: “A lot still needs to be done to reduce hepatitis-related deaths and infections. Despite the availability of diagnostic tools and effective treatment, more than 90 per cent of people living with hepatitis in Africa do not receive the needed care, and less than 10 per cent of the population has access to testing and treatment.
“This leads to progressive advanced liver disease, devastating financial burden, emotional distress and stigma. Testing and treatment, as public health approach, remains the most neglected aspect of the response.
“The highest burden of Hepatitis B infection in children below five years of age is seen in countries without Hepatitis B vaccination at birth. So, immunisation, thus, is an important component in the fight against hepatitis. Gladly, all 47 member-states in Africa have included the Hepatitis B vaccine in their routine immunisation.
“Coverage for routine childhood vaccination against Hepatitis B in the region stands at 72 per cent, far below the global target of 90 per cent. In 2022, 16 countries in the region provide a birth dose of the vaccine to all newborns, up from 11 in 2021.”
She maintained that infection with the Hepatitis B virus is preventable by vaccination, while doctors can successfully treat Hepatitis C, caused by the Hepatitis C virus, with antiviral drugs.
“Hepatitis causes the breakdown of the liver’s normal structure, which prevents the liver from working correctly,” she added.
She said that the theme for this year’s World Hepatitis Day, “One Life, One Liver” seeks to emphasise the link between viral hepatitis infection and liver inflammation which is liver injury and damage and the broader issues of liver health and primary health care.
She explained: “Hepatitis B is commonly transmitted from mother to child during birth and delivery. It also spreads through contact with blood or other body fluids during sex with an infected partner, unsafe injections, or exposure to sharp instruments.
“Similarly, Hepatitis C spread through contact with the blood of an infected person by unscreened blood transfusions, sharing needles, and unsafe sexual practices that lead to direct exposure to blood.
“More than 91 million Africans are living with hepatitis. In 2019, an estimated 1.2 million new hepatitis infections and 125, 000 hepatitis-related deaths occurred in Africa. Deaths occur mostly among the young and productive segments of the population,” she said.
