The community, especially pregnant mothers in Kasese District, is being urged to get tested for hepatitis B and C and seek early treatment if they test positive. Every 28th of July is the World Health Organization-designated International Hepatitis Day, a platform for advocacy, education, and engagement with governments, health professionals, and the public to drive awareness and action to eliminate viral hepatitis.
At Bwera General Hospital, medics report an increasing number of hepatitis patients, with 10 to 15 new cases recorded daily. Christopher Oyam, a clinic officer at the hepatitis clinic, emphasizes that early detection enables patients to access therapy and prevents further disease transmission.
However, Oyam decries the absence of testing kits, such as strips, which hampers efforts to test the larger community.
Afan Abdullah, working with the Great Lakes Peace Center, urges the community to take advantage of free testing services, especially those who may have been exposed to risk factors. He notes that the proportion of pregnant mothers who know their hepatitis B status in Kasese District has increased from 15% to 20% due to these efforts.
Maryline Kabugho, a mobile money agent in Bwera Town, says many of her peers fear testing for hepatitis due to the associated stigma. She advocates for mass awareness campaigns, particularly in rural communities.
Kenneth Kabagambe, the Founder and Executive Director of the National Organization for People Living with Hepatitis B, emphasizes that early testing allows individuals to know their status and, if positive, receive help to live a healthy life. He noted that World Hepatitis Day offers an opportunity for the government and the community to reflect on the fight against all types of hepatitis and encourage stronger commitments at local, national, and international levels to combat the growing threat of the disease.
Viral hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver and can be both acute and chronic, leading to health problems if undiagnosed and untreated. WHO estimates that 304 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B or C. The theme of World Hepatitis Day 2024 is “It’s Time for Action.”