Public urged to stay alert as HBV outbreak threatens

DODOMA: MEMBERS of the public have been urged to continue taking precautions against Hepatitis, with statistics showing that 3.5 per cent of people aged between 15 and 60 are affected by the disease.

The National Programme for the Control of HIV, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Hepatitis Manager, Dr Prosper Njau said during a press briefing held in Dodoma yesterday the situation is alarming and that there is need for the public to take more precautions.

He was speaking ahead of the World Hepatitis Day commemorations scheduled to take place on July 28 this year in the capital city.

Dr Njau said the public is advised to be cautious in protecting themselves against the disease, with a 2022 study indicating that 3.5 per cent of people aged 15 to 60 were affected by the virus. He noted that while there is a preventive vaccine, there is currently no cure for Hepatitis once a person is infected.

Dr Njau said Tanzania marked Hepatitis Day for the first time last year and this year’s commemoration will be the second. He further mentioned that people who inject drugs have been among the most affected groups.

He emphasised that the aim of the commemoration is to raise community awareness about the dangers of the disease and how to protect themselves.

According to the programme manager, the guest of honour at the event will be the Minister for Health, Jenista Mhagama.

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On his part, acting Regional Administrative Secretary for Dodoma, Dr Nelson Bukuru, said the main activities will begin on July 26 this year at Mashujaa Grounds, where the public will be educated on various health matters, free Hepatitis testing and vaccination services.

He added that there will also be screenings for other conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, HIV testing and blood donation.

World Hepatitis Day 2025 will amplify the voices of people living with hepatitis demanding testing, treatment, vaccinations and the end of stigma.

It will make it clear there is no time to waste and that leaders, politicians, doctors and communities must act now.

People living with hepatitis are still not being heard or getting the resources they need, despite the global scale of the problem. This World Hepatitis Day, let’s break it down.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Hepatitis Day is an opportunity to step up national and international efforts on hepatitis, encourage actions and engagement by individuals, partners and the public and highlight the need for a greater global response as outlined in the WHO’s Global hepatitis report of 2017.

The date of 28 July was chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel-prize winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus.

Low coverage of testing and treatment is the most important gap to be addressed in order to achieve the global elimination goals by 2030.

However, World Hepatitis Day Organisation’s website advocates for fast and accurate tests, effective and affordable treatments and a proven vaccine that could prevent 95 per cent of newborns from getting hepatitis B.

“Limited awareness, widespread misinformation, persistent myths and stigma are preventing people from accessing hepatitis services and contributing to inaction among decisionmakers,” the site states.