In 2017, there are 325 million people living with viral hepatitis, yet less than 1 per cent of people have access to life-saving medicines.
The World Hepatitis Day is unique opportunity to position your business at the forefront of eliminating a global killer.
Every year on July 28, the WHO with other organizations celebrate the World Hepatitis Day to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and its consequences.
Viral hepatitis, a group of infectious diseases known as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E affects millions of people worldwide, causing liver diseases, there by killing 1-2 million people every year. Despite of these facts, hepatitis remains largely unknown.
Focus is being given to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis. The day provides an opportunity to focus on specific action such as strengthening prevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and related diseases; increasing hepatitis-B vaccine coverage and integration of vaccine into national immunization programme; coordinating a global response to world hepatitis.
July 28 was chosen as a mark of respect for the birthday of Nobel laureate Prof Baruch Samuel Blumberg, who discovered hepatitis-B virus and its vaccine. We must pledge today, we will be aware, educate and eradicate hepatitis which would save millions of lives worldwide.
(Dr Sethi is Senior Consultant, Gastroenterologist and Hepatolgist, Apollo Hospitals, Bhubaneswar; Mob : 9437556686, 8093060180)