To eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, greater awareness among high-risk groups and the general public is key
Millions of people across the world and in the WHO South-East Asia Region are infected with viral hepatitis without knowing and without receiving treatment. Both worldwide and in the region less than one in 10 infected people are estimated to know their status, while less than 10 per cent of those who do know their status are receiving appropriate treatment.
This lack of awareness and treatment lead to progressive liver damage and can cause life-threatening conditions such as fibrosis and liver cancer, resulting in an estimated 410 000 deaths in the region every year. It also allows viral hepatitis to spread: region-wide, an estimated 40 million people live with chronic hepatitis B while an estimated 10 million live with chronic hepatitis C.
Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia said, “Urgent action is needed to find, test and treat the missing millions suffering viral hepatitis and achieve the time-bound targets of WHO South-East Asia’s Regional Action Plan. That includes ensuring at least 50 per cent of infected people know their status and at least 75 per cent of those diagnosed with the disease are provided treatment by 2020. Ninety percent or more of newborns should meanwhile receive the hepatitis B vaccine’s birth dose, while at least 95 per cent of children should complete the vaccine’s three-dose schedule. Increased injection safety in health facilities is likewise critical.”
To achieve these outcomes and eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, as envisaged in WHO’s Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis, greater awareness among high-risk groups and the general public is key. Health authorities region-wide should deploy clear messaging regarding the disease’s signs and symptoms, where they can get tested and seek treatment, and how hepatitis infection can be prevented (for example by vaccination for hepatitis B, and safe sex and safe needle usage for hepatitis B and C).
“Where individuals test positive for hepatitis B or C, access to effective and affordable treatment is vital. While treatments have existed for hepatitis B for some time, directly-acting antiviral drugs can now cure hepatitis C in up to 95 per cent of cases. To reduce costs further, member states should make full use of flexibilities in global trade agreements,” Khetrapal adds.
WHO South-East Asia is committed to supporting member states find, test and treat the missing millions suffering viral hepatitis and to harness the full potential of available tools.
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