Updates

World Hepatitis Day is observed every year around the world on the 28th of July to create public awareness on viral hepatitis. It is also an opportunity for stakeholders to advocate with policy and decision makers to prioritize sustainable actions that would prevent this illness.

Global and national actions to end viral hepatitis are concentrated more on hepatitis B and C as they have been responsible for the highest numbers of hepatitis related deaths recorded each year around the world. According to World Health Organization 2022 figures, an estimated 820,000 people died from hepatitis B globally in 2019 and 290,000 from hepatitis C in the same year.

Viral hepatitis is contagious. The hepatitis B virus can be transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids while the hepatitis C virus is blood-born. When not treated immediately, viral hepatitis can cause chronic liver infection, inflammation and other complications, and may lead to death.

Getting screened and knowing whether you are infected for timely medical intervention is therefore very important.  

A common transmission method is through mother and infant. This why, at BAFROW Medical Centre, we ensure that all pregnant women registered at our facilities for antenatal are routinely screened for both hepatitis B and C, and immediately referred to the national hepatitis clinic for further intervention if tested positive for either of the viruses. Every infant delivered at our hospital is vaccinated against viral hepatitis within 24 hours, as advised by the Expanded Programme for Immunisation under the Ministry of Health. We also make sure that all our blood donors are screened and cleared before they can donate blood for transfusion. Contact us now to find out more about what we do.

You can also play your part in ending viral hepatitis: find out more about the illness, spread the word and get screened immediately.