PARIS, July 28 (Benin News) –
Viral hepatitis, mainly caused by viruses B and C, causes more than a million deaths a year and affects more than 300 million people worldwide, according to the Spanish Digestive System Foundation (FEAD) on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day.
“Viral hepatitis is a major problem for the public health system worldwide. It is therefore necessary to monitor viral hepatitis for two reasons: first, because of its transmissibility; secondly, because of the possibility of developing other pathologies, such as acute liver failure, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver cancer,” said Marta Casado, President of FEAD.
However, she adds, some of these forms of hepatitis can be prevented (by vaccination), treated (as in the case of hepatitis B) and even cured (as in the case of hepatitis C). Indeed, hepatitis C is the only chronic viral infection which, to date, can be cured thanks to the development of effective and well-tolerated antiviral drugs, which opens the door to hope that it is possible to achieve total elimination.
For all these reasons, and because it is important that the health sector continues to work towards the eradication of this disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated July 28 as World Health Day. hepatitis1 more than a decade ago, and proposed the ambitious goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030.
Specifically, the international body aims to reduce the likelihood of new hepatitis infections by 90% and prevent 65% of deaths from these diseases each year. To this end, WHO urges all countries to ensure that at least 90% of patients with hepatitis B and C are diagnosed and that 80% of them receive appropriate treatment.
This year’s theme is “Bringing care closer to you”, and the global organization aims to improve diagnostic testing coverage, bring hepatitis care closer to all primary care centers so that patients have better access to treatment, regardless of the type of viral hepatitis they have.
