Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mary-Sylvia Anoliefoh
Published on 2024-04-10 19:01:45
The World Health Organization (WHO) is deeply concerned about the increasing cases of viral hepatitis infections and deaths worldwide. According to the 2024 Global Hepatitis Report released by WHO, hepatitis is the second leading infectious disease, causing 1.3 million deaths annually, on par with tuberculosis.
The report reveals that the estimated number of deaths from viral hepatitis rose from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2022, with hepatitis B accounting for 83% of these deaths and hepatitis C for 17%. This means that approximately 3,500 individuals are dying every day due to hepatitis B and C infections. Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment tools, along with reduced product prices, testing and treatment rates have stagnated.
WHO emphasizes the urgency of taking immediate action to achieve the organization’s elimination goal by 2030. The report highlights grave concerns expressed by Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, regarding the escalating death toll due to undiagnosed and untreated cases of hepatitis.
Recent data indicates that 254 million individuals were living with hepatitis B and 50 million with hepatitis C in 2022. The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B and C is notably high among individuals aged 30–54, with 12% of cases found in children under 18, and 58% among men. Although there has been a decrease in new infections compared to 2019, the overall incidence of viral hepatitis remains alarming, with 2.2 million new infections in 2022.
In terms of diagnosis and treatment, the global coverage rates remain low, with only 13% of people diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B and 36% with chronic hepatitis C receiving treatment. These rates fall significantly below the 2030 targets. However, there has been a slight improvement in diagnosis and treatment coverage since 2019.
Regional disparities exist, with the African region bearing the highest burden of hepatitis B infections. The Western Pacific Region accounts for a substantial number of hepatitis B-related deaths, with treatment coverage standing at a mere 23% among diagnosed individuals. Ten countries, including Nigeria, collectively shoulder a significant portion of the global hepatitis burden.
In light of these challenges, WHO stresses the need to expand testing and diagnostics access, ensure equitable treatment, enhance primary care prevention efforts, streamline service delivery, regulate and supply products efficiently, establish investment cases in priority countries, and secure innovative financing.
Funding remains a critical obstacle in the fight against viral hepatitis, as current budgets fall short of the requirements. The report emphasizes the necessity for countries to address these challenges through cost-effective interventions and tools and align priorities to promote affordable access to necessary resources.
To eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030, concerted efforts are required on a global scale to address the inequities in testing, treatment, and prevention. By implementing the outlined strategies, countries can work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and significantly reducing the global burden of hepatitis infections.
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