Careers to realize a hepatitis free world

Ranjan K Baruah *

According to the World Health Organization’s 2024 Global Hepatitis Report, the number of lives lost due to viral hepatitis is increasing. The disease is the second leading infectious cause of death globally -- with 1.3 million deaths per year, the same as tuberculosis, a top infectious killer.

New data from 187 countries show that the estimated number of deaths from viral hepatitis increased from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2022. Of these, 83% were caused by hepatitis B, and 17% by hepatitis C. Every day, there are 3500 people dying globally due to hepatitis B and C infections.

Across all regions, only 13% of people living with chronic hepatitis B infection had been diagnosed and approximately 3% (7 million) had received antiviral therapy at the end of 2022. Regarding hepatitis C, 36% had been diagnosed and 20% (12.5 million) had received curative treatment.

These results fall well below the global targets to treat 80% of people living with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C by 2030. Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Russian Federation and Viet Nam, collectively shoulder nearly two-thirds of the global burden of hepatitis B and C.

Achieving universal access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in these ten countries by 2025, alongside intensified efforts in the African Region, is essential to get the global response back on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

World Hepatitis Day, observed on 28th July, raises awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and cancer. This year’s theme is: It’s time for action. With a person dying every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related illness, we must accelerate action on better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to save lives and improve health outcomes.

The date of 28th July was chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel-prize winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus. We are aware that hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and noninfectious agents leading to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal.

As it's time for action we can also think and plan a career related to ending hepatitis from our society. One may become a doctor or nurse or other health professionals to treat people who are suffering from hepatitis. As vaccines are available, aspirants may choose to work in the field of ensuring vaccines to individuals from the time of birth so that casualties could be lessened.

As we are aware that prevention is better than cure, there are more options in generating awareness amongst the public. Health departments of the government organize various programmes to raise awareness. Apart from the government , other organisations like NGOs, health societies, youth clubs or educational institutions may conduct various programmes to raise awareness related to hepatitis.

Media houses like print media or electronic media or even social media can also play a vital role in disseminating information related to hepatitis and how one can get rid of it.

All those who eagerly want to see a hepatitis free world may take up the profession in the media industry and plan a strategy to reach out to more and more people and make them aware. There might be uses of traditional media in remote areas of our country where we can easily communicate with traditional media like street plays or theatre and dramas.

Together we can take action to end hepatitis and it’s time to take action to realize a hepatitis free world. The best way is to choose to work in the field through which we can use our passion and expertise to end hepatitis. Our action would help millions to fight hepatitis and live happily.