One life, one liver
We only have one life and we only have one liver. Hepatitis can have devastating effects on both.
In the Western Pacific Region, an estimated 116 million people are living with hepatitis B and 10 million with hepatitis C – the most common causes of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver-related deaths. viral hepatitis in the Region.
With the theme “One Life, One Liver”, this year’s World Hepatitis Day will highlight the importance of the liver for a healthy life and the need to scale up prevention, testing and treatment of viral hepatitis to optimize liver health and prevent liver disease. and achieve hepatitis elimination goals by 2030.
In the Western Pacific Region, there are 3 million new hepatitis B and C infections each year, and most go undetected. Most symptoms only appear in the late stages of the disease, making it a silent disease with serious consequences. Despite the availability of effective and safe interventions to diagnose, treat and prevent chronic hepatitis B and C, only 18% of people living with hepatitis B in the Region have been diagnosed and 5% have received treatment. For hepatitis C, 25% of people were diagnosed and 10% received treatment.
The Region has made significant progress in the fight against hepatitis B thanks to national vaccination programs: 90% of infants received 3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine in 2021, compared to 49% in 2000. As a result, the Region achieved the 2020 target of reducing hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence to less than 1% in children under 5 years of age and is currently on track to meet the next global targets 0.5% for 2025 and 0.1% for 2030.
However, significant gaps in vaccination coverage remain in some countries and more cases of hepatitis – and deaths – can also be prevented through vaccines and other effective prevention modalities such as safe injections, safe blood transfusions and risk reduction, as well as therapies or cures for hepatitis. B and C.
With COVID-19 no longer a global health emergency, now is the time to prioritize a hepatitis-free world and achieve the 2030 global goals. Continued successes in reducing hepatitis B infections among children prove that progress is possible. However, we urgently need simplified primary care services for viral hepatitis to ensure that:
- 90% of people living with hepatitis B and C are diagnosed.
- All pregnant women living with chronic hepatitis B have access to treatment and their infants have access to vaccines at birth to prevent infection.
- 80% of people diagnosed are cured or treated according to new expanded eligibility criteria.
Call to action:
- Public: You only have one liver – seek access to hepatitis testing, treatment and cures, available through all health services.
- World leaders: Defend liver health by expanding hepatitis treatment and testing as a fundamental part of universal health coverage.
- National leadersespecially in the most affected countries: take liver health seriously and expand access to hepatitis testing, treatment and cure closer to home.
