According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), more than 10 million people in the Americas are living with hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that can lead to serious illness and even death, but can be effectively controlled with medicines if caught early.
However, only 18% of people with hepatitis B and 22% of people with hepatitis C in the region knew they had the disease.
Of these, only 3% of patients with hepatitis B and 18% of patients with hepatitis C received treatment, largely due to a continued lack of investment in diagnostics and medicines.
Although immunization programs have enabled the Americas to substantially reduce mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, “more than 100,000 people die each year from liver cancer or cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B and C,” said Jabas, director of the Pan American Health Organization. Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said. .
This could have been avoided if we increased the availability of testing and treatment services, he said.
In this context, Dr Leandro Sereno, the organization’s Regional Advisor for Hepatitis Prevention and Control, highlighted that the cost of hepatitis treatment has decreased significantly over the past decade due to the increased availability of generic medicines in the region.
Countries in the region can also procure hepatitis medicines through the PAHO Regional Revolving Fund, technical cooperation mechanisms for the joint procurement of medicines, diagnostics, vaccines and life-saving medical devices, he explained.
World Hepatitis Day is celebrated on 28 July as an opportunity to reflect on progress and achievements in the fight against this disease, as well as opportunities to fill existing gaps in eliminating this public health problem.
This year’s theme, “One Life, One Liver,” sheds light on the silent role the liver plays in more than 500 vital functions that keep us alive.
Memory/LPN