In a dire warning, the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the alarm that Hepatitis, a disease causing liver inflammation, is projected to claim more lives than HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria combined by the year 2040. The latest update, released as part of the World Hepatitis Day campaign, reveals that approximately one million people worldwide succumb to the disease each year.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) emphasized that while Hepatitis can affect anyone, it disproportionately impacts people and communities who have limited access to healthcare services.
There are five main types of Hepatitis, namely A, B, C, D, and E, all of which can inflict damage on the liver and lead to liver cancer. Among these types, WHO highlighted Hepatitis B and C as the most prevalent and deadly.
"The sad truth is that millions of people around the world are living with undiagnosed and untreated hepatitis, despite the availability of advanced tools for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment," stated WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus. He reaffirmed WHO's commitment to supporting countries in expanding the use of these tools, including cost-effective curative medications, to save lives and ultimately eradicate hepatitis.
A significant development in the fight against the disease comes in the form of an updated six-in-one vaccine. Recently approved by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and other health partners for routine childhood immunization, this vaccine offers protection against Hepatitis B.
The WHO's warning serves as a critical wake-up call for nations, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa, such as Kenya, to intensify their efforts in combating the disease.
"To reduce new infections and fatalities from Hepatitis B and C, countries must adopt several measures," advised WHO. These measures include ensuring access to treatment for all pregnant women living with Hepatitis B, providing Hepatitis B vaccines to newborns, diagnosing 90 percent of people living with Hepatitis B and/or C, providing treatment to 80 percent of diagnosed individuals, and implementing initiatives to ensure safe blood transfusion, injections, and harm reduction practices.
The urgency of WHO's call to action underscores the need for global collaboration and concerted efforts to combat Hepatitis effectively. With a focus on prevention, early diagnosis, and affordable treatment, the world can take significant strides toward curbing the Hepatitis epidemic and saving millions of lives in the process.
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