More than 82 million people living with hepatitis in the African subregion do not receive the treatment they need, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The international health body explained that while more than 91 million Africans are living with hepatitis, over 90 per cent of them do not receive the care they need, and less than 10 per cent of the population have access to testing and treatment.
It further disclosed that in 2019, an estimated 1.2 million new hepatitis infections and 125,000 hepatitis-related deaths occurred in the African Region, with deaths occurring mostly among the young and productive segments of the population.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, made this known in a message to commemorate this year’s World Hepatitis Day 2023, with the theme: “One Life, One Liver.”
She stated that 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.
Dr. Moeti, therefore, called on countries and critical stakeholders to work towards scaling up hepatitis B immunization coverage to reach the globally agreed target of 90 per cent, particularly by introducing the hepatitis birth dose.
She said, “The theme for this year’s World Hepatitis Day, “One Life, One Liver” seeks to emphasize the link between viral hepatitis infection and liver inflammation—that is, liver injury and damage—and the broader issues of liver health and primary health care.
“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 exposures 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.
“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 per cent and deaths by 65 per cent 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).”
She added, “A lot still needs to be done to reduce hepatitis-related deaths and infections. Despite the availability of diagnostic tools and effective treatment, more than 90 per cent of people living with hepatitis in Africa do not receive the care they need, and less than 10 per cent 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.
“I am glad all 47 Member States in the Africa Region have included the Hepatitis B vaccine in routine immunization. However, coverage for routine childhood vaccination against Hepatitis B in the region stands at 72 per cent, far below the global target of 90 per cent. As of 2022, 16 countries in the region provide a birth dose of the vaccine to all newborns, up from 11 in 2021. Let’s take advantage of available tools and interventions to ensure liver health for all persons.
“We must make services available through strong primary health care services increasingly funded through domestic resources. Testing and treatment interventions must be part of the essential package of health services delivered through integrated primary health care that addresses the needs of individuals of all ages (newborn, child, adolescent reproductive and maternal health care).
“I encourage policymakers and partners to demonstrate political commitment to sustained and simplified hepatitis testing, prevention, and treatment as part of broader liver health and primary health care to achieve viral hepatitis elimination. I remind communities to take up hepatitis vaccination, hepatitis testing, treatment and curative services through all available health services.”