Over 290 million people Worldwide are living Hepatitis unaware!
Ainembabazi Dorothy.
As the Uganda joins the rest of the World in celebrating World Hepatitis Day, the ministry of health has been asked to ensure continued access of treatment for Hepatitis B patients during the Covid-19 lockdown especially in government hospitals as strong focus has been put on preventing hepatitis B among mothers and newborns.
This year’s theme will be marked under the theme: “Find the Missing Millions’’.
Kenneth Kabagambe, the Founding Executive Director of the National Organization for People Living with Hepatitis B says the prevalence in Uganda is at 4.3% of the general population which has pushed the infection to around 1.8 million.
Ahead of the celebrations Kabagambe says there has been an introduction of a vaccine for mother to child birth which he says the stakeholders in charge have not placed them in hospitals hence calling upon the government to make this drug available and increase awareness about Hepatitis B
The Ibanda, District Health Officer Dr. Julius Bamwine says many people are living with the virus that causes Hepatitis B which may result into lung cancer.
Dr Julius Bamwine says they have recorded many cases of Hepatitis B in the district saying that there is fear that it could easily be spread through sexual intercourse.
Dr Julius Bamwine added that in Uganda Hepatitis B is increasing in Northern Uganda and Southwestern. Bamwine added that in Southwestern Uganda, Kiruhura District is leading hence calls upon all people in Ibanda District to be vigilant of the deadly Hepatitis B disease.
Over 290 million people Worldwide are living with the viral hepatitis unaware and without locating the undiagnosed and linking them to care, millions of lives will be lost.
