Message of the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti on the commemoration of World Hepatitis Day 2016

On 28 July 2016, the world observes World Hepatitis Day under the theme: “Know hepatitis. Act now.” The theme this year calls on countries and people to become informed about the risks of hepatitis infection, get tested and advocate for increased access to treatment and care.

Viral hepatitis, an infection of the liver caused by five distinct hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, and E), is a highly widespread public health problem in the African Region, similar to other major communicable diseases, including HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. 

All five hepatitis viruses can cause severe disease, but the highest numbers of deaths result from liver cancer and cirrhosis –a condition in which there is irreversible scarring of the liver. This occurs after several years of chronic hepatitis B or C infection. In the African Region, hepatitis B affects an estimated 100 million people.

It is also estimated that 19 million adults in the Region are chronically infected with hepatitis C. However, most people with chronic viral hepatitis are not aware of their infection and do not receive appropriate treatment.

World leaders have committed to taking specific action to combat hepatitis under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At the World Health Assembly in May 2016, countries across the globe agreed to implement the first Global Health Sector Strategy on viral hepatitis for 2016–2021. The strategy aims at stopping viral hepatitis transmission, strengthening public awareness and prevention as well as ensuring that everyone living with viral hepatitis has access to safe, affordable and effective care and treatment services.

I urge all Member States in the African Region to use the World Hepatitis Day campaign as a vital opportunity to step up national efforts on hepatitis and to spur action to implement the strategy on viral hepatitis. I appeal to the general public to seek information about viral hepatitis and services for prevention and treatment from the nearest health facility.  

I call on international partners, civil society, other United Nations agencies, and the private sector to advocate for adequate domestic investments and to mobilize external funding for the viral hepatitis response in the African Region.  

On its part, WHO will support Member States to implement the hepatitis strategy to tackle this growing public health problem in the Region.

Thank you.