World Hepatitis Day, observed on July 28th each year, raises awareness of viral hepatitis, a group of infectious diseases known as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, that cause significant morbidity and mortality globally. With the World Health Organization (WHO) aiming to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, efforts are intensifying worldwide. This piece explores global and Kenyan initiatives to combat hepatitis, focusing on prevention, treatment, and awareness.
Global Efforts
1. WHO’s Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis (2016-2021)
The WHO has been instrumental in guiding global efforts to combat hepatitis through its Global Health Sector Strategy. The strategy targets a 90% reduction in new hepatitis infections and a 65% reduction in hepatitis-related deaths by 2030. Key components include:
Vaccination: Vaccines for hepatitis A and B are pivotal. The hepatitis B vaccine is part of routine immunization for infants in many countries.
Screening and Treatment: Increasing access to hepatitis B and C testing and treatment is essential. Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have revolutionized hepatitis C treatment, offering cure rates exceeding 95%.
Harm Reduction: Interventions for people who inject drugs, including needle exchange programs and opioid substitution therapy, reduce transmission.
2. Global Partnerships and Funding
Organizations like the Global Fund, the World Hepatitis Alliance, and the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination support national programs financially and logistically. These collaborations enhance resource mobilization, research, and the implementation of effective strategies.
Kenyan Efforts
Kenya, with a significant burden of hepatitis B and C, has aligned its strategies with global goals, incorporating both preventive and curative measures.
1. National Hepatitis Strategic Plan (2019-2023)
Kenya’s strategic plan focuses on reducing hepatitis transmission, morbidity, and mortality. Key elements include:
Vaccination Campaigns: The Ministry of Health has rolled out extensive vaccination programs targeting newborns, healthcare workers, and high-risk populations. The hepatitis B vaccine is now part of routine immunization for infants.
Awareness and Education: Public awareness campaigns educate communities about hepatitis transmission, prevention, and the importance of vaccination and screening. Collaborations with local media and community health workers amplify these messages.
Screening and Treatment: Efforts to increase access to diagnostic services and antiviral treatments are underway. The government has established hepatitis treatment centers and integrated hepatitis services into existing healthcare facilities.
2. Collaborations and Support
Kenya collaborates with international bodies like WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for technical and financial support. These partnerships facilitate training for healthcare providers, supply of diagnostic kits, and antiviral medications.
Prevention Strategies
1. Safe Practices and Vaccination
Promoting safe injection practices, screening blood donations, and vaccinating at-risk populations are critical. In Kenya, vaccination programs in schools and healthcare settings have been intensified.
2. Education and Behavioural Change
Educational initiatives targeting behavioural change play a significant role. Raising awareness about safe sexual practices, avoiding sharing needles, and ensuring safe food and water supplies can significantly reduce hepatitis transmission.
3. Healthcare Infrastructure Improvement
Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, ensuring the availability of diagnostic tools and treatments, and training healthcare workers are fundamental. Kenya has made strides in enhancing its healthcare system to better handle hepatitis cases.
World Hepatitis Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against hepatitis. While global efforts spearheaded by WHO and various international partnerships have set ambitious targets, national efforts, like those in Kenya, are crucial for achieving these goals. Through vaccination, public awareness, and improved healthcare services, the fight against hepatitis continues to gain momentum, moving closer to the vision of a hepatitis-free world.
