The World Hepatitis Day will be officially celebrated for the first time on 28 July, marked by the World Health Organization (WHO), to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes and to raise awareness among the public.
Hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E can cause acute and chronic infection and inflammation of the liver that can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer, Allah forbid. These viruses constitute a major global health risk with around 240 million people being chronically infected with hepatitis B and around 150 million people chronically infected with hepatitis C.
(This is hepatitis. Know it. Confront it), this theme was chosen to raise awareness on the risk and the outbreak of this disease in the world.
Global Statistics: Hepatitis A: - Yearly, 1.4 million infected cases of viral hepatitis are reported globally.
Hepatitis B: - Globally, around 2 billion people are infected with viral hepatitis B.
- More than 240 million people were infected with chronic viral hepatitis B.
- More than 600.000 cases passed away due to complications of acute or chronic viral hepatitis B.
Hepatitis C:- Yearly, around 3-4 million people are infected with viral hepatitis C.
- 150 million cases were reported with chronic viral hepatitis C.
- More than 350.000 cases passed away due to complications of viral hepatitis C.
Domestic Statistics:
Cases and incidents of viral Hepatitis A, B, C, and others in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2011:
- Locally approved date: 20/9/1434H.
- Globally approved date: 28/7/2013.
Theme of World Hepatitis Day 2013:
(This is hepatitis. Know it. Confront it)
Targeted Groups:
- Patients with viral hepatitis.
- Patients’ families.
- Healthcare providers (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and health educationists).
- Education workers (teachers, social workers, etc.)
- Health decision makers.
- Health associations and organization.
- The public.
Messages and Objectives of the World Hepatitis Day 2013:
World Hepatitis Day provides an opportunity to focus on specific actions, such as:
- Strengthening prevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases.
- Increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage and integration of the vaccine into national immunization programmes.
- Coordinating a global response to hepatitis.
Logo of World Hepatitis Day 2013:
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