November 3, 2024

WHO Advocates Increase Investment to Eliminate Hepatitis in Africa

By Prudence Ijah, Abuja – July 30, 2019

As Nigeria joins the rest of the World to mark the 2019 World Hepatitis Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO), has called on African countries to make conscious efforts towards eliminating Hepatitis in the region through increased investment.

In a message to mark the day with the theme ‘Invest in Eliminating Hepatitis’, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, reiterated the need for African governments to ensure the availability of hepatitis B vaccination for all newborns as well as integrating hepatitis interventions as part of health system strengthening.

According to her, WHO’s first hepatitis scorecard to track progress across the Region has shown that the highest burden of hepatitis B infection in children under five years was seen in countries without hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination in combination with suboptimal coverage under 90% of the childhood pentavalent vaccine.

The scorecard which was developed in June this year, also shows that testing and treatment as a public health approach remains the most neglected aspect confronting Hepatitis response.

While commending Rwanda and Uganda for providing free access to hepatitis testing and treatment, she urged relevant partners and pharmaceutical companies to consider a reduction in the cost of hepatitis B and C diagnostics and medicines, to ensure more persons have access to timely treatment.

“Despite the availability of diagnostic tools and effective treatment, less than one in 10 of the 71 million people with hepatitis B or C in Africa have access to testing and more than 200 000 die each year due to complications like end-stage liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

“It is a timely reminder that this disease can be eliminated by 2030 with adequate resources and strong political commitment.

“Funding hepatitis testing and treatment services as part of universal health coverage is a cost-effective investment. WHO commends Rwanda and Uganda for providing free access to hepatitis testing and treatment.

“Today I call on the Member States to invest in a public health approach towards the elimination of viral hepatitis B and C in Africa. Countries should invest in hepatitis B vaccination for all newborns and integrate hepatitis interventions as part of health system strengthening.

“This includes building on existing laboratory capacities for HIV and TB, embedding hepatitis surveillance in the national health information system, and securing supplies of affordable medicines and diagnostics.
WHO commends Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance for supporting hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination and the Global Fund for providing hepatitis C care for people receiving HIV therapy.
We salute Egypt for the recent proposal to support hepatitis testing and treatment for one million people across 14 African countries.

“I call on partners and pharmaceutical companies to reduce the cost of hepatitis B and C diagnostics and medicines. Together with the research community, we can collectively explore ways to simplify testing and treatment and promote innovation towards a cure for hepatitis B and a vaccine for hepatitis C.

“In addition to governments and partner efforts, civil society and people living with viral hepatitis should continue playing a central role in raising community and political awareness.
WHO will continue to support collaboration across Member States – last month the African Hepatitis Summit in Kampala, Uganda was attended by more than 600 people from 32 countries,” she said.

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