World Hepatitis Day 2021: Hepatitis can't wait

With a person dying every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related illness – even in the current COVID-19 crisis – we can’t wait to act on viral hepatitis.

-People living with viral hepatitis unaware can’t wait for testing
-People living with hepatitis can’t wait for life-saving treatments
-Expectant mothers can’t wait for hepatitis screening and treatment
-Newborn babies can’t wait for birth dose vaccination
-People affected by hepatitis can’t wait to end stigma and discrimination
-Community organizations can’t wait for greater investment
-Decision-makers can’t wait and must act now to make hepatitis elimination a reality through political will and funding.

There is an estimation that 290 million people are living with viral Hepatitis, unaware. Without tracing those undiagnosed and without linking them to the peripheral health care system, millions will continue to suffer, the transmission will increase and lives will be lost. 28th of July is globally observed as world hepatitis day, let's spread awareness on this day.

Today is the day for people around the world to unite in a campaign to make the world healthier by reducing the risk of viral hepatitis.

Viral hepatitis is becoming one of the most dangerous health problems of this age. Hepatitis B and C kill 1,300,000 people each year. The virus is a major contributor to liver cancer. Hepatitis can simply be understood as an inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection.

There are five main types of hepatitis A: B, C, D, and E. These five types of hepatitis are considered fatal and death-like.

Hepatitis B and C kill more people annually than HIV, AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. 2 out of 3 people with liver cancer are found with hepatitis. Hepatitis B and C are called silent epidemics, it mainly affects children and marginalized groups.

Moreover, 90% of people with hepatitis B and 80% of people with hepatitis C are considered to be as deadly as HIV and other diseases because they are unaware of the disease and pass it on to others unknowingly.

Without easy access to hospitals, access to medicine, and the right to health, we will still lose many people because of Hepatitis. In a country like ours where health care is not accessible and comfortable, getting any disease is just as burdensome. Suffering from such a terrible disease, one has to choose the path of death.

Therefore, it is the duty of all of us as the general public to raise awareness about this in time and the state has to respect the health rights of the citizens. Even today, you have to discuss with your loved one's family and friends how hepatitis is affecting and what are the ways to avoid it.

Global solidarity against Hepatitis

Suyog Dhakal