July 28 is the World Hepatitis Day
This year’s theme for the World Hepatitis Day is ‘Think Again’. With this theme, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and related associate partners highlight and urge the healthcare industry, policy-makers and, public in general to give a second thought to viral hepatitis, as the infectious silent killer that isn’t given enough attention.
For any infectious disease, ‘prevention’ is the key to reducing its worldwide incidence. So, let’s rethink our strategy and gear up to address challenges that we still face in the prevention of the disease and whether we are doing enough to prevent the spread of hepatitis in our country.
Challenges facing prevention of hepatitis:
1. Unmet need for vaccination: Hepatitis A and B can be prevented by vaccination, but the outreach of vaccination programmes lags behind the global targets in many countries. Dr Avnish Seth, Director, Gastroenterology & Hepatobiliary Sciences Director, Fortis Organ Retrieval & Transplant, Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI), Gurgaon says ‘Vaccine against hepatitis A (HAV) is available in India, but is costly and is not included in the national immunisation schedule.’ Every year over 1,00,000 Indians die due to illnesses related to hepatitis B (HBV) infection. In the year 2002, India had introduced universal immunisation against HBV in 10 states and in 2011 the operation was scaled up countrywide. Recently, a pentavalent vaccine, which also protects against HBV, has been introduced in some states. However, there is no vaccine against HCV.’
2. Lack of screening of high-risk individuals: Dr Seth highlights the findings of a recent global policy report (2013). ‘According to the findings, screening and immunization of high-risk groups, such as those with a history of exposure, those with an occupational risk, mother-to-child transmission is not fully implemented,’ he says.
3. Reuse of injections: This old practice is still common in developing countries. Additionally, disposal of medical waste is still not standardised in many facilities.
4. Unsafe sex: Unprotected sex with non-immunised individuals is still common in all parts of the world. People are unaware of the risk of transmission of the virus through sex.
5. Poor sanitation: Poor hygiene practices and unsafe sanitation, which are part of everyday life for millions of people, forms the primary mode of transmission of hepatitis A and E. Dr Avinash says, ‘In 2008, 88% of the population in India had access to an improved water sources, but only 31% had access to improved sanitation. In rural areas, where 72% of India’s population lives, the respective shares are 84% for water and only 21% for sanitation. Only two Indian cities have continuous water supply. In 2010, the UN estimated that 626 million people practice open defecation in India. All these statistics just highlight the role of poor sanitation in spreading hepatitis in India.’
6. Blood transfusion without screening: Though it doesn’t happen often in urban regions, unscreened blood and blood products still continue to increase the risk of hepatitis B and C in some areas. The global policy report of 2013 does include promoting safe blood supply as one of the prime strategies to prevent hepatitis.
Image source: Getty images
You may also like to read:
- Cure for Hepatitis C in HIV patients on the cards?
- Four ways to reduce hepatitis among drug-users
- Hepatitis: It’s closer than you think
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