This July 28 is World Hepatitis Day. Opportunity seized by the Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Africa to send a message to raise awareness of this disease which represents a threat to public health. According to Dr Matshidiso Moeti, of the 71 million Africans with chronic viral hepatitis, 300 people unfortunately lose their lives every day as a result of liver cancer and other complications related to hepatitis B and hepatitis C .
For this year, the chosen theme is “A future without hepatitis”. For Dr. Moeti, this underscores the importance of preventing mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B and stepping up prevention, screening and treatment to fight hepatitis B and cure hepatitis. vs.
“Prevention of over 1.5 million new infections and 1.2 million liver cancer deaths by 2035”
“Hepatitis B accounts for 85% of the hepatitis disease burden in the WHO African Region. The most vulnerable period of infection is in the first month of life and can be prevented by vaccination against hepatitis B, specifically by giving a birth dose during the first 24 hours of life. “, did she say.
Before supporting: “Achieving at least 90% coverage in the Region is expected to go a long way in preventing more than 1.5 million new infections and 1.2 million deaths from liver cancer. here in 2035 ”.
The Regional Director has indicated that hepatitis B can go unnoticed for years and have devastating consequences. “For example, Ansah, a 25-year-old Ghanaian, was diagnosed with hepatitis B and liver cancer during antenatal care. Her baby was protected with a birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine that was given to her within 24 hours of birth, but Ansah’s future is uncertain. A family member said the following: ‘We didn’t know the infection could be so silent and the consequences so severe,’ ”she said.
“Introduction and generalization of the administration of the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine”
Despite the low cost of the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine, says Dr. Moeti, only 13 African countries have introduced it, which is well below the target of 25 countries set for 2020. now, she adds, 15 countries have launched national hepatitis plans. Where Rwanda and Uganda have set up national programs for the detection and treatment of this disease. Better, she said WHO is working with countries and partners to accelerate actions to reduce new infections with hepatitis B and C by 90% and reduce the number of hepatitis-related deaths by 65%. by 2030. “In order to achieve these objectives, it is urgent to introduce and generalize the administration of the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine, to make the most of the infrastructures intended for fight against HIV and syphilis to prevent mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis and to ensure that mothers have access to testing and treatment services ”, pleaded the Regional Director.
“People with hepatitis-related complications are at greater risk of developing a severe form of Covid-19”
Elsewhere, Matshidiso Moeti noted: “As we fight Covid-19, a threat looms on the horizon: that of witnessing further delays both in the widespread administration of the dose of birth of hepatitis B vaccine and the provision of other essential hepatitis control services ”.
Before continuing: “People with hepatitis-related complications are at greater risk of developing a severe form of Covid-19 and should continue to receive essential hepatitis prevention and treatment services during pandemic and beyond ”.
However, it will let it be understood: “With the political commitment of governments and partners, backed by financial resources and integrated into an approach focused on strengthening health systems, and with informed communities and endowed with the necessary means of action, we can achieve a future without hepatitis ”.
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Author: Awa FAYE – Seneweb.com
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