The Ministry of Health and Human Services Marks World Hepatitis Day under the theme “It is time for Action”

PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

AND HUMAN SERVICES

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 25 July 2024: As we mark World Hepatitis Day on 28^th July 2024, the global community unites under the theme “It Is Time for Action.” This day aims to raise awareness and drive meaningful change in the fight against viral hepatitis, a disease that affects millions of lives worldwide.

Viral Hepatitis refers to infections caused by viruses that primarily attack the liver. The most common types are hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, each caused by a different virus and differing in modes of transmission, severity, prevention, and treatment methods.

Viral hepatitis, including hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, poses significant health challenges, with hepatitis B and C responsible for the majority of deaths. These infections can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, claiming over 1.3 million lives each year. Despite the availability of effective vaccines and treatments, many people remain unaware of their status or are unable to access necessary healthcare. The WHO (World Health Organisation) aims to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, focusing on reducing new infections, lowering mortality, increasing diagnosis rates, and ensuring treatment access.

1. Types and Transmission:

• Contaminated food/water: Hepatitis A and E
• Mother-to-Child Transmission: Hepatitis B can be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth.
• Blood and Body Fluid Exposure: Hepatitis B, C, D -Transmission occurs through unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles or syringes, needlestick injuries, and contact with infected blood or body fluids.
• Household Contact: Sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes with an infected person can lead to transmission of the Hepatitis B, C, or D virus.

2. Symptoms and Severity:

• Symptoms often include jaundice (the whites of the eyes and skin turn yellow), fatigue, abdominal pain, and liver-related issues.
• Hepatitis B and C can become chronic, leading to serious liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

3. Prevention and Treatment:

• Vaccination (A, B, and E),
• Ensuring safe drinking water, safe food practices, proper sanitation, and good personal hygiene (A, E)
• Avoiding infected blood contact (B, C, D).
• Safe sexual practices – Always use condoms correctly every time you have sex (vaginal, anal, or oral). Condoms provide a barrier that reduces the risk of transmitting infections. Reducing the number of sexual partners can lower your risk of exposure to sexually transmitted infections (B,D).
• Treatment varies from supportive care (A, E) to antiviral medications for chronic hepatitis B and C.

This year’s theme, “It Is Time for Action,” means everyone needs to act now to fight hepatitis by working together so that we can stop hepatitis and save lives by 2030.

What You Can Do:

1. Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about hepatitis, its risks, and prevention methods. Share this knowledge with your family, friends, and community to dispel myths and encourage understanding.
2. Get Tested: Know your status by getting tested for hepatitis. Early detection can save lives and prevent the spread of the virus. Hepatitis B testing is offered free of cost at all Primary Healthcare Clinics across the country.
3. Get Vaccinated: Protect yourself and others by getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. Encourage others to do the same, especially those in high-risk groups. Hepatitis B vaccination is offered free of cost to children in all Primary Care Clinics across the country. Ensure your child gets all three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine according to the schedule to provides lifelong protection against hepatitis B.
4. Practice Safe Behaviors: Use safe practices such as not sharing needles, using condoms, and ensuring blood products are screened to reduce the risk of hepatitis transmission.
5. Support and Advocate: Join or support local and global campaigns aimed at hepatitis awareness and elimination. Advocate for better access to testing, treatment, and vaccines in your community.

Together, we can make a difference. It is time for action! For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://m.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.