The National AIDS and STIs Control Program of the Ministry of Health today July 29, 2024 celebrated World Hepatitis Day, held in the Conference Hall at the Ministry of Health, the event brought together several partners and scores of Liberians from the Health sector to grace the occasion.

Speaking during the opening of the event Dr. Caullau Jabbeh-Howe Assistant Minister for Preventive Service stressed the need for all hands on deck in spreading the message of the danger of Hepatitis in Liberia.

“Today, as we gather to mark World Hepatitis Day, it is crucial that we increase awareness and understanding of this silent killer, Hepatitis poses a significant threat to our healthcare workers and care givers, yet there is often limited information available to them.

We must actively work to change this narrative and ensure that they are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to protect themselves and others” Dr.Caullau Jabbeh-Howe emphasized.

“Let us remember that awareness is the first step towards prevention and treatment, it is our collective responsibility to advocate for greater access to information and healthcare services, especially for those on the front lines” she said.
Also delivering the keynote address, Dr. Moses Jeuronlon Adviser on HIV and Hepatitis at World Health Organization – Liberia, calls for a collective effort in combating the spread of Hepatitis in the country.

Dr.Jeronlon said access to vaccine in Liberia is cost intensive and calls for a cheaper means in getting the vaccine for every Liberian.

“To eliminate Viral Hepatitis and achieve the WHO’s ambitious targets by 2030, Member States, under the leadership of Ministries of Health, should prioritize and invest in simplified and equitable care services for Viral Hepatitis and ensure that all pregnant women living with chronic hepatitis B have access to treatment and their infants have access to hepatitis B birth dose vaccines to prevent infection”

“I hereby call on the Ministry of Health and all relevant partners to invest in these low-cost high impact interventions to address the Public Health problem. It is important underscore that these interventions require comprehensive and strong partnership. Inter-sectorial collaboration, and community engagement.

This important event focused on raising awareness on hepatitis, its prevention, and treatment. As part of today’s activities, free testing for Hepatitis B were conducted for attendees, providing vital health information and early detection opportunities.

The World Health Organization, Ministries of Health around the world and other stakeholders launched the World Hepatitis Day on the 28 of July 2008 and have since been observed every year.

Approximately 325 million people worldwide live with chronic Hepatitis, making it a global public health threat of increasing proportion beyond HIV. Hepatitis B Virus infection is estimated to affect over 2 billion individuals globally, a notable proportion of between 6% to 25% residing in Sub-Saharan Africa. WHO estimates that the condition kills over 1.3 million people annually due to related complications, including severe cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure.

The prevalence of Hepatitis B virus in Liberia according to WHO scorecard 2021 shows 13.5% for adults in the general population and 4.7% for children under 5. Some studies also showed greater than 5% prevalence during first time testing for chronic Hepatitis B exist among health care workers, making the need for active prevention, testing and treatment very urgent.

In addition, we are excited to inform the public that details regarding the availability of a free Hepatitis B vaccine will be announced shortly. This initiative aims to enhance public health and prevent the spread of Hepatitis B across the country.

We extend our gratitude to all participants, healthcare professionals, and partners who contributed to the success of this event. Together, we continue to work towards a healthier future for all.