The World Health Organization has called on policymakers to demonstrate their political commitment to introducing the Hepatitis birth dose to broader liver health among children
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti made the call in a message to commemorate this year’s world hepatitis day on 28th July 2023.
She said there is a need for sustained and simplified hepatitis testing, prevention, and treatment to achieve viral hepatitis elimination in the region.
Dr. Moeti noted that the “Coverage for routine childhood vaccination against Hepatitis B in the region stands at 72%, far below the global target of 90%. As of 2022, 16 countries in the region provide a birth dose of the vaccine to all newborns, up from 11 in 2021.” And urged countries to take advantage of available tools and interventions to ensure liver health for all persons, while advocating for increased funding of primary health care through domestic resources to address the needs of individuals of all ages.
“Infection with the hepatitis B virus is preventable by vaccination, while doctors can now 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.
“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 exposure 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.
“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 the African Region. Deaths occur mostly among the young and productive segments of the population.
“WHO’s global hepatitis strategy, endorsed by all WHO Member States, and the Framework for an Integrated Multisectoral 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.
“WHO 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, including eliminating hepatitis B through birth dose vaccination (the day of birth or the day after).”
Dr. Moeti added that more work is needed to reduce hepatitis-related deaths and infections. “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.
“The highest burden of hepatitis B infection in children below 5 years of age is seen in countries without hepatitis B vaccination at birth. Immunization, thus, is an important component in the fight against hepatitis.”
The theme for this year’s World Hepatitis Day is “One Life, One Liver” emphasizing the link between viral hepatitis infection and liver inflammation.
