- WHO urges South-East Asian countries to scale up efforts against hepatitis B and C, as the region accounts for 70.5 million cases.
- Liver cancer, largely caused by hepatitis B and C, is the fourth biggest cause of cancer deaths in the region and is projected to double by 2050.
- Despite available tools, hepatitis testing and treatment coverage remains low in South-East Asia.
On July 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) called on countries in the South-East Asia Region to urgently scale up efforts to provide universal access to prevention, vaccination, diagnosis, and treatment of viral hepatitis B and C.
Despite being preventable and treatable, these chronic infections are increasingly causing serious illness and deaths from liver cancer, cirrhosis, and liver failure in the region, a press release from WHO said.
Liver cancer ranks fourth in cancer deaths in the region and second among men. Hepatitis B and C cause nearly 75% of liver cirrhosis cases. In 2022, about 70.5 million people in the region had hepatitis B and C.
Early testing and treatment can cure hepatitis C and prevent hepatitis B from causing liver cirrhosis and cancer. This could also prevent liver cancer deaths in Southeast Asia from doubling by 2050, potentially exceeding 200,000 annually.
“We have the knowledge and tools to prevent, diagnose and treat viral hepatitis, yet people with chronic hepatitis B and C are still waiting to access the services they need. We need to accelerate efforts to deliver equitable services closer to communities, at the primary health care level,” said Ms Saima Wazed, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia on the World Hepatitis Day.
She also emphasizes that the theme this year is ‘It’s time for action’.
In WHO South-East Asia Region, the coverage of hepatitis B and C testing and treatment remains low. In 2022, only 2.8% people with hepatitis B were diagnosed, and 3.5% of those diagnosed received treatment. Only 26% and 14% of people with hepatitis C were diagnosed and treated, respectively.
“We have safe and effective vaccines that can prevent hepatitis B infection. Antiviral drugs are highly effective in controlling and preventing disease progression, managing chronic hepatitis B and curing most cases of hepatitis C. More needs to be done for these life-saving interventions to benefit each person, irrespective of who they are and where they live,” Ms Wazed said.
Testing and treatment should be easy for everyone to access through local health clinics and general practitioners, integrated into universal health coverage. Increasing the availability of tests and treatments for hepatitis B and C will lower rates of liver cirrhosis, cancer, and ultimately, deaths.
Ms Wazed also stressed the collective responsibility to save lives today and protect future generations' health. She emphasized the urgency of taking action now, highlighting the need to expand access to hepatitis treatments from 2024 to 2026. This initiative aims to meet Sustainable Development Goals by reducing infections, cancers, deaths, and healthcare costs, ultimately benefiting global health outcomes.
Edited by Harshajit Sarmah
