28/07/2020
STOP HEPATITIS: IN CELEBRATION OF WORLD HEPATITIS DAY, JULY 28!
What is the significance of World Hepatitis Day?
World Hepatitis Day is celebrated to spread awareness about the hepatitis virus which primarily affects the liver and causes inflammation which subsequently leads to other health complications including liver cancer.
Amongst the five main types of hepatitis virus; A, B, C, D & E the most deadly are B & C which combined together claims over approximately 1.3 million deaths yearly, according to reports.
Even during the current Coronavorus pandemic, the hepatitis virus is also adding to the mortality count of the world. The theme for World Hepatitis Day 2020 particularly designated by WHO to help spread awareness about the various factors involved with this disease is 'Hepatitis-free future' which mainly focuses on preventing hepatitis B virus infection among mothers and new horns.
On this year's World Hepatitis Day, the WHO has issued the guidelines to be followed for this agenda and implored all countries to make collective effort and eliminate hepatitis virus within 2030. It further issued some general guidelines for the people to follow.
Take a look:
- All newborn babies should be vaccinated at birth against hepatitis B. This is to be followed by two additional doses
- All pregnant women should do routine checkups for hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis and receive proper treatment if needed
- should be given access to prevention, testing and treatment of hepatitis. This also includes drugs addicts, prisoners, migrants, and others who are affected
- If hepatitis B is tested and treated timely, it can prevent liver cancer
- Even during a pandemic such as COVID-19, the immunization, diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis B should be carried out.
