Professor of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Yasir Waheed stressed that In 2016, the World Health Organization developed a strategy to eliminate hepatitis by 2030. The strategy comprised five core areas including Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HBV, injection and blood safety, harm reduction, and test and treatment of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Addressing the 9th Science and Technology Exchange Program (STEP) on Saturday, the 30th of September 2023, Yasir Waheed said that viral hepatitis remained a major cause of death and was neglected until 2014. In 2015, hepatitis was included in the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations.
“In 2016, the World Health Organization developed a strategy to eliminate hepatitis by 2030. The strategy comprised five core areas including Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HBV, injection and blood safety, harm reduction, and test and treatment of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV).” he added.
“The World Health Organization evaluated the progress on hepatitis elimination and set new targets for 2022-2030. The viral hepatitis response gained significant momentum during the 2016-2021 implementation periods.” Waheed pointed out.
“However, funding commitments remain inadequate to meet the elimination targets. From 2015-2020, the coverage of the third dose of HBV vaccine among children has increased from 82% to 90%, and the birth dose of HBV vaccination has increased from 38% to 50%, with a target of 90% coverage by 2030. The proportion of blood units screened for blood borne diseases has increased from 89% to 95%, with a target of 100% by 2030.” the professor of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University said.
“The number of safe needles distributed per person who injects drugs has also increased. The number of deaths from viral hepatitis has decreased from 1.4 million to 1.1 million per year, with a target of 0.5 million annual deaths by 2030. HBV and HCV drug prices are reduced in 20% of the countries, and the target is to reduce drug pricing in 60% of the countries so that the maximum number of people can obtain drugs. Approximately 30% of people living with HBV and HCV are diagnosed and treated, and the target is to diagnose 90% of cases and treat 80% of cases by 2030.” Waheed said.
He believed that it was estimated in 2021, that hepatitis elimination requires an investment of US $6 billion per year till 2030. Many countries with well-developed hepatitis control programs lack the financial resources to achieve their targets. It is the right time to invest in the fight against hepatitis and to save the lives of millions of people who are dying of hepatitis.