Accra, Ghana — Ghana is at risk of missing the 2030 global elimination target for viral hepatitis, according to Dr. Kafui Senya, Technical Lead for Hepatitis at the World Health Organization (WHO) Ghana office. The country’s efforts to combat hepatitis B and C are currently off track, largely due to gaps in early testing, vaccination, and treatment.
Hepatitis B, a virus that severely affects the liver and is transmitted through blood or bodily fluids, can lead to serious health complications, including liver inflammation and cancer. Symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain are common but often go unrecognized, leading to delayed diagnosis.
To achieve the 2030 elimination target, Dr. Senya emphasized that Ghana must reach two critical goals: 90% of people with hepatitis should be tested and aware of their condition, and 65% of diagnosed individuals should receive treatment. Although hepatitis C is curable, hepatitis B is not; however, antiviral medications can help control the infection and reduce the risk of liver cancer.
A key component in this fight is childhood vaccination against hepatitis B, which can prevent new infections. Yet, Ghana lacks a policy to provide newborns with this crucial vaccine. “Currently, Ghana is not providing that vaccine. If every baby born receives the vaccine, they are unlikely to get infected with hepatitis B,” Dr. Senya remarked, stressing that childhood vaccination is essential to protecting future generations.
The economic implications of failing to control hepatitis are considerable, with Mr. Theobald Owusu-Ansah, President of the Hepatitis Foundation of Ghana, pointing out the heavy costs associated with treating the disease. Despite its high prevalence, hepatitis B has received limited financial backing compared to other diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Mr. Owusu-Ansah criticized Ghana’s reactive approach, which often focuses on treatment only after infection, rather than preventing the disease through vaccination.
To meet the 2030 target, the Hepatitis Foundation suggests a multi-faceted approach: providing birth-dose vaccinations to prevent mother-to-child transmission, identifying and linking people with the disease to affordable treatment, and including hepatitis B treatment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Currently, out-of-pocket expenses deter many from seeking timely diagnosis and care, creating a barrier to effective disease control.
Mr. Owusu-Ansah has called on the government to increase investment in hepatitis prevention and treatment programs. He urged for dedicated funding and improved accessibility to ensure Ghana can meet the elimination target and protect the health and productivity of its citizens.
Source: myjoyonline.com
