In sub-Saharan Africa, 60 million live with hepatitis B and 11 million live with hepatitis C now a major public health threat in Africa’.

NAIROBI. – The World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday called on African governments and partners to roll out robust interventions aimed at reducing the burden of hepatitis disease in the continent. Olufunmilayo Lesi, communicable diseases specialist at WHO Regional Office for Africa, said hepatitis has emerged as a major public health threat in Africa.
“The burden of viral hepatitis in Africa is huge, but we must harness the power of technology, knowledge and public awareness to accelerate progress towards its elimination,” Lesi told a media briefing in Nairobi.
WHO statistics show that more than 200 000 people in Africa die from complications linked to hepatitis B and C, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer, every year.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 60 million people are living with hepatitis B and an additional 11 million are infected with hepatitis C.The two lethal strains of hepatitis that are transmitted through contaminated fluids can be contained through vaccination, screening of donated blood and improved hygienic practices, Lesi said.
“Blood safety, political commitment and domestic investments in hepatitis diagnosis, treatment and care is key to prevent deaths,” she said.
African countries in 2016 adopted a four-year master plan to boost prevention, treatment and care of viral hepatitis.Lesi said massive investments, combined with reforms in public health sector, are required to speed up the elimination of hepatitis in Africa.
“Country-specific action plans for controlling hepatitis infections should be implemented with urgency, and modern diagnostic tools are needed to help detect different strains of the disease to inform treatment,” she said. – Xinhua.INFORMATION IS POWER!-Thank you for the support. Please email all your articles, photos and breaking news, to newzimbabwe.vision@yahoo.com ,linkedin.com/in/sibusiso-ngwenya-563a572b or whatsapp to Mr Sibusiso Ngwenya 0044 79 3 9100534 for publication on the constantly growing online groups, currently standing as follows1)Zimbabwe News 4 us Zimbabweans 206,362Members2)ZIMBABWE NEWS, BUILDING A PROSPEROUS POST 2018 VISION 32,224 Members3) New Zimbabwe Vision group 18,708 members4) Newzimbabwevision.com website 22,802 likes22,796 followers.
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