The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm over the alarming rise in infections and fatalities caused by viral hepatitis worldwide.
In its latest report, WHO revealed that hepatitis, the second leading infectious disease, is responsible for claiming 3,500 lives daily, totaling 1.3 million deaths annually, equivalent to tuberculosis, another top infectious killer.
While there has been a decrease in new cases compared to 2019, with 2.2 million new infections reported in 2022, the overall incidence of viral hepatitis remains disturbingly high.
Hepatitis B and C are the primary culprits, accounting for 83% and 17% of deaths, respectively.
Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment tools, coverage rates for testing and treatment have stagnated.
However, WHO remains optimistic about achieving its elimination goal by 2030, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, expressed deep concern over the rising death toll, attributing it to inadequate diagnosis and treatment.
He urged countries to utilize available tools at accessible prices to reverse this trend and save lives.
The report highlighted disparities in diagnosis and treatment coverage across regions, with Africa bearing the highest burden of hepatitis B infections.
Urgent action is needed to improve vaccination coverage and treatment accessibility, particularly in high-burden countries like Bangladesh, China, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan.
One of the major challenges highlighted in the report is the insufficient funding allocated for hepatitis prevention and treatment.
Limited awareness and competing health priorities have hindered efforts to address the epidemic effectively.
To achieve the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030, WHO advocates for expanding access to testing, enhancing treatment equity, strengthening prevention efforts, and mobilising innovative financing
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