Geneva, 28 July 2022 (TDI): World Health Organization (WHO) brings the world’s attention to World Hepatitis Day which is celebrated on 28 July every year globally.
On World Hepatitis Day 2022, WHO focuses on the need for bringing hepatitis care closer to the primary health facilities and communities to achieve a hepatitis-free future.
It is important so that people have easy access to care and treatment, no matter what type of hepatitis they may have.
It’s #WorldHepatitisDay!
Bringing #hepatitis care closer to communities and those in need is 🗝️ to achieving a hepatitis-free future.
Here are 5⃣ things you should know about viral hepatitis 👇
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) July 28, 2022
The world celebrated World Hepatitis Day to raise awareness of viral hepatitis. Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver and can result in serious illness and liver cancer.
A new unknown wave of acute hepatitis infections in children is currently sweeping the globe. Researchers and decision-makers in the affected nations are working with WHO to identify the source of this infection.
The infection caused by this virus is different from five kinds of currently known hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, and E).
This new outbreak brings focus on thousands of acute viral hepatitis infections that occur among children and adults every year.
The majority of acute hepatitis infections result in mild illness, remaining unnoticed most of the time. But in some cases, the infection causes complications and deaths.
The campaign theme for World Hepatitis Day 2022
The World Hepatitis Day 2022 campaign theme is “I can’t wait.” It draws attention to the necessity of stepping up efforts to combat viral hepatitis and the value of testing and caring for those who truly need it.
The campaign raises the voices of those who have viral hepatitis and demand quick action. The campaign also demands the abolition of stigma and discrimination.
In every 30 seconds, a person dies because of a hepatitis-related illness. So, the campaign highlights that “People living with viral hepatitis unaware can’t wait for testing. People living with hepatitis can’t wait for life-saving treatments. Expectant mothers can’t wait for hepatitis screening and treatment.
Newborn babies can’t wait for birth dose vaccination. People affected by hepatitis can’t wait to end stigma and discrimination.
Community organizations can’t wait for greater investment. Decision makers can’t wait and must act now to make hepatitis elimination a reality through political will and funding.”
