Winning the battle against hepatitis

HEPATITIS B and C are major health hazards in the country that are often overlooked. Hepatitis B has already infected chronically about 16.7 % or 7.3 million adults. This means that one out of seven Filipinos are living with the infectious disease. The rate is twice the prevalence rate in the western pacific region. Moreover, inspite of the limit in data, about 1 % of Filipinos may be infected with hepatitis C virus.

Liver cancer and liver cirrhosis are the result of Hepatitis B and C and many Filipinos die of these diseases, says Dr. Diana Rica Mara- Payawal, current president of the Hepatology Society of the Philippines and Executive Member of Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver. In fact, hepatitis B is the leading cause of liver cancer which is in turn the second leading cause of cancer death in the country, Dr. Payawal added that although hepatitis B is not preventable, it can be cured through vaccine especially if infants born within 24 hours are given the shot. Even as early as 5-7 years old children can also avail of the vaccine.

Persons afflicted with hepatitis B or C are subjected to discrimination and stigma other than the toll to their health. Presently there is no comprehensive program on the control and prevention of hepatitis B and C in our country. The world health assembly passed resolution WHA 63.18 urging all member states to adopt a comprehensive approach in preventing and controlling viral hepatitis. In conjunction with the mission to be the spearheading organization in the country dedicated to the study of liver in health and disease, the Hepatitis Society of the Philippines involved itself in the research, education, advocacy and foundation of health policies in the Philippines, in partnership with International Communities, started the National Viral Hepatitis Task Force. This is a multisectoral coalition of stakeholders having a common interest in preventing and controlling Hepatitis.

The National Viral Hepatitis Task Force will develop and maintain a national strategy to remove or lessen the prevalence of hepatitis B and C significantly in our country. Prevention and control of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in the Philippines: A Call to Action- was created by the Task Force. This will serve as a roadmap for preventing and control of hepatitis. This roadmap adopts the framework of the World Health Organization Global Hepatitis Program that uses the four axes to address viral hepatitis; 1. Raising awareness, promoting partnerships, mobilizing resources; 2. Exchange- based policy and data for action; 3. Prevention of transmission; and 4. Screening, care and treatment.

The Hepatitis Society of the Philippines together with its Task Force partners, the Department of Health, World Health Organization, Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Philippine College of Physicians, Philhealth, Philippine Pediatric Society, Philippine Society of Gastroenterology, Yellow Warriors Society of the Philippines and the Department of Labor officially launched the Task Force on November 20, 2013 and shared the roadmap to prevent and control viral hepatitis in the country. The press conference was hosted by Edu Manzano and graced by Senator Pia Cayetano who shared government’s support and policies to assure the success of the comprehensive plan for viral hepatitis. Dr. Janus Ong of the Committee on Health Policy of the Hepatitis Society of the Philippines introduced the National Viral Hepatitis Task Force and the roadmap for the prevention and control of Hepatitis B and C in the Philippines.

Source: Malaya
Published: 15 Dec 2013

Category: Features, Top Story