By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
As Nigeria joins other countries to mark the 2023 World Hepatitis Day, WHD , the World Health Organizations, WHO, has disclosed that its global hepatitis strategy endorsed by member countries would reduce new cases of the hepatitis virus by 65% by 2030.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Rebecca Matshidiso Moeti in a message to mark the WHD, said,”WHO’s global hepatitis strategy, endorsed by all WHO Member States, and the Framework for an Integrated Multisectional Response to TB, HIV, STIs, and Hepatitis in the WHO African Region aims to reduce new hepatitis infections by 90% and deaths by 65% by 2030.”
Speaking on the burden of hepatitis in the African Region, Moeti said that over 91 million Africans are living with hepatitis, adding that In 2019, an estimated 1.2 million new hepatitis infections and 125 000 hepatitis-related deaths occurred in the Region.
Hepatitis related deaths occur mostly among the young and productive segments of the population, she added.
She further added that
Hepatitis is not only the disease of adults, as the highest burden of hepatitis B infection in children below 5 years of age occurs in countries without hepatitis B vaccination at birth.
Moeti explained that Immunization of children is an important component in the fight against hepatitis.
She disclose that although all 47 Member States in the Africa Region have included the Hepatitis B vaccine in routine immunization, the coverage for routine childhood vaccination against Hepatitis B in the region stands at 72%, far below the global target of 90%.
The WHO Regional Chief disclosed that WHO has continued to support eliminating hepatitis B through birth dose vaccination , that is day of birth or the day after.
“As of 2022, 16 countries in the region provide a birth dose of the vaccine to all newborns, up from 11 in 2021.2023.”
She said ,”We must scale up hepatitis B immunization coverage to reach the globally agreed target of 90%. Therefore, I urge all countries to work to introduce the Hepatitis birth dose. ”
“Despite the availability of diagnostic tools and effective treatment, more than 90% of people living with hepatitis in Africa do not receive the care they need, and less than 10% 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 a public health approach, remains the most neglected aspect of the response”.
“Hepatitis B is commonly transmitted from mother to child during birth and delivery. Hepatitis B is also spread through contact with blood or other body fluids during sex with an infected partner, unsafe injections, or exposures to sharp instruments.”
“Hepatitis C is 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.”
“Hepatitis causes the breakdown of the liver’s normal structure, which prevents the liver from working correctly.”
The global health organization, Moeti further said, supports regional and national efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030 by providing clear guidance for decentralized and simplified person-centered prevention, testing, and treatment of viral hepatitis.
The theme for the 2023 WHD is , “One Life, One Liver”.
WHO says that the theme seeks to emphasize the link between viral hepatitis infection and liver inflammation—that is, liver injury and damage—and the broader issues of liver health and primary health care.
I remind communities to take up hepatitis vaccination, hepatitis testing, treatment and curative services through all available health services, Moeti appealed.
