Dhaka: World Hepatitis Day was observed in Bangladesh today, aligning with global efforts to raise awareness about hepatitis. The day has been marked annually since July 28, 2008, when the World Hepatitis Alliance initiated the global campaign, aiming to educate people about the disease, its prevention, and treatment.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized World Hepatitis Day in 2011 as one of its 11 global public health campaigns. This recognition underscored the significance of the day, observed worldwide on July 28 each year, to emphasize the threat posed by viral hepatitis.
Bangladesh participated in the global observance with several awareness and advocacy programs. The theme for this year was ‘Let’s Break It Down.’ Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus issued a message for the occasion, urging all sectors of society to collaborate in combating hepatitis, referred to as a ‘silent killer.’
Prof Yunus highlighted the increasing severity of liver diseases in Bangladesh, attributing this trend to a lack of awareness, timely treatment, and prevalent superstitions. Reports from various national and international organizations indicate that approximately 4.4 percent of Bangladesh’s population is infected with hepatitis-B and 0.6 percent with hepatitis-C.
The chief adviser noted the annual toll of hepatitis and related liver diseases, such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure, on the population. He expressed hope that through awareness and timely, proper treatment, these diseases could be prevented, allowing for healthier, longer lives.
Prof Yunus also reiterated his interim government’s commitment to sustainable health sector reforms, aiming to provide affordable, quality healthcare. Initiatives are underway to enhance hospital capacities and offer free health, family welfare, and nutrition services, particularly to marginalized communities. The government has also launched mobile and online medical services at district and upazila levels and has implemented programs targeting the global goal of eliminating hepatitis by 2030.
The collective effort of all stakeholders is deemed essential to achieve this goal. Educational initiatives are focused on liver diseases, debunking myths, and promoting timely medical intervention. Despite the yearly loss of lives to serious liver conditions, increased awareness and intervention can significantly prevent these diseases.
World Hepatitis Day, one of WHO’s official global campaigns, began with the World Hepatitis Alliance and patient groups designating May 19 as World Hepatitis Day in 2008. However, in May 2010, the 63rd World Health Assembly passed a resolution endorsing July 28, in honor of Nobel Laureate Dr. Baruch Samuel Blumberg, the discoverer of the Hepatitis B virus, as the official date.
The resolution aimed to heighten global awareness about viral hepatitis as a critical public health issue and encourage enhanced prevention and control efforts by member states. Today, over 100 countries observe World Hepatitis Day through activities like free screenings, poster campaigns, concerts, talk shows, and vaccination drives.
The WHO and the World Hepatitis Alliance publish annual reports documenting global activities for World Hepatitis Day, furthering the mission to eliminate hepatitis worldwide.