The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 570,000 people in the Eastern Mediterranean Region became infected with viral hepatitis, 30 million people were chronically infected and 65,000 people died, in 2020.
“On World Hepatitis Day, WHO reminds our Member States of their commitment to ensure the continuity of hepatitis services and eliminate hepatitis as part of our regional vision of Health for All by All,” said WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Ahmed Al-Mandhari.
“COVID-19 made it more difficult to deliver essential health services, including vaccination, diagnosis and care,” Al-Mandhari added.
World Hepatitis Day, which falls on July 28 every year, is being observed under the theme “Hepatitis can’t wait”, highlighting the urgent need to eliminate hepatitis by 2030.
“Viral hepatitis causes severe liver disease, affecting the lives of 360 million people worldwide. With one person dying every 30 seconds from hepatitis, no one should wait to act on viral hepatitis, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” a WHO statement said.
According to the statement, WHO recommends five key interventions for successful elimination of hepatitis: vaccinating infants against hepatitis B, preventing mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus, ensuring blood and injection safety, reducing harm among people who inject drugs and testing people with a view to treatment.
Source: Jordan News Agency