DILI, 28 july 2021 (TATOLI) – World Hepatitis Day is observed each year on 28 July to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and hepatocellular cancer.
Speaking the commemoration day, the WHO Representative Dr. Arvind Mathur said that: “This year’s theme is “Hepatitis Can’t-Wait”. With a person dying every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related illness – even in the current COVID-19 crisis – we can’t wait to act on viral hepatitis.”
Mathur said the elimination and control of viral hepatitis B and C, one of its targets, should ideally be achieved by all the countries, including Timor-Leste. Globally, most of the viral hepatitis-related morbidity and deaths are caused by HBV and HCV.
He said a hepatitis-free future is achievable with a united effort, saying WHO is calling on all countries to work together to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
Chronic infection with HBV is a condition which is rarely cured completely, and hence, the WHO has specially emphasized on preventive strategies such as administration of birth dose and three doses of hepatitis B vaccine in infancy affirmed Mathur.
“On the contrary, chronic HCV infection can now completely be cured. The complete cure of HCV infection has become possible because of recently introduced drugs which are called as ‘Direct-Acting Antiviral agents’ or DAAs. The DAAs are orally administered, highly effective, are very safe, and is extremely user-friendly, such as a person can take it based on prescription – without any medical supervision,” He said.
In 2019-20, the National AIDS Programme (NAP) of Timor-Leste conducted “Viral Hepatitis Outreach Project’ – Hepatitis B and C testing & vaccination for Hepatitis B among Key Population with technical and financial support from WHO. This survey had screened 3563 participants.
All the 3563 participants were negative for anti-HCV. Hepatitis-B positivity rate ranged from 3% (Uniformed Personnel) to as high as 7% in PLHIV. The HCV burden in the low-risk populations was estimated using the prevalence rate found in blood donors which is around 0.29 %.
Mathur emphasized that Despite progress in Hepatitis testing and vaccination among Key Population (KP), and high Hepatitis B burden in the country (6.5% Hepatitis B Prevalence in the General Population from the Blood Bank Data), key programmatic issues are seen in control of Hepatitis B in Timor-Leste mainly due to non-availability of dedicated funds for the Viral Hepatitis Programme Implementation, lack of routine surveillance activities, except for blood bank data, and updated costed national strategic plan for ending Viral Hepatitis by 2030 (SDG 3.3).
“In the context of Timor-Leste, variable burden and programmatic support are observed across the three eliminable diseases – From low burden of HIV to high burden of Hepatitis B and Syphilis, and without any funding support for the national Viral Hepatitis program. We must address this urgently, and I reaffirm WHO’s commitment to support the Ministry in every step of the way strengthen actions and response,” Stressed Mathur.
“Action to eliminate viral hepatitis cannot and must not wait. Hepatitis can be prevented and treated. And yet every year it kills more people globally than HIV and malaria.”
“Today’s commemoration must persuade us collectively to scale up the response and to embed hepatitis prevention, testing and treatment into the overall quest to achieve Universal Health Coverage in Timor-Leste, which must prioritize community ownership, action, and engagement.”
Mathur said WHO reiterates its commitment to support Timor-Leste to reduce new hepatitis infections, bring testing and treatment to all who need it, and accelerate progress towards a Region and world in which viral hepatitis is no longer a public health threat: “Together, we must act with speed and scale, leaving no one behind.”
“As your reliable and trusted partner, WHO is committed to ensuring technical support to the Ministry of Health in realizing the vision of a nation free of Viral Hepatitis in line with SDGs. I assure you that WHO will walk every step of this journey with you and the people of Timor-Leste.” Added Mathur.
At the same place, the Vice Minister of Health, Bonifacio Maucoli dos Reis informed that viral hepatitis impacts 345 million of people worldwide, including 1.4 million deaths.
“We all need to put efforts to ensure all Timorese people will get vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine. We also need to sensitize our communities and families to protect themselves from hepatitis B through a health education campaign,” Maucoli said.
He said a health education campaign was important to raise the awareness of the communities to stop smoking, and consuming alcohol and drugs: “Toxic hepatitis can be caused by alcohol, chemicals, and drugs.”
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
