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Add to Preferred SourcesMillions of people globally who have viral hepatitis are unaware or unable to receive treatment, the United Nations health agency said 27 July, on the eve of World Hepatitis Day, raising the alarm to “find, test and treat the missing millions.”
Both worldwide and in the South-East Asia Region, less than one-in-10 infected people are estimated to know their status, while less than 10 percent of those who do know are actually receiving treatment, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
“This lack of awareness and treatment leads to progressive liver damage and can cause life-threatening conditions, such as fibrosis and liver cancer, resulting in an estimated 410,000 deaths in the Region every year,” said Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia.
“It also allows viral hepatitis to spread: Region-wide, an estimated 40 million people live with chronic hepatitis B while an estimated 10 million live with chronic hepatitis C,” she added.
Pointing out that “urgent action is needed to find, test and treat the missing millions,” she highlighted the agency’s Regional Action Plan, which aims to expand the number of people aware of their status to 50 percent, with at least 75 percent of those diagnosed with the disease, receiving treatment by 2020.
Greater awareness among the public and high-risk groups is key to eliminating the viral hepatitis health threat by 2030.
She urged health authorities region-wide to send clear messages on the disease’s signs and symptoms, where they can get tested and seek treatment, and how infection can be prevented – such as through hepatitis B vaccinations, practicing safe sex and safe needle usage.
Original source: UN News
Published on 27 July 2018