Dhaka: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today urged government and non-government institutions, organizations, media, guardians, and the conscious civil society to come forward in preventing hepatitis, often referred to as a silent killer. In a message commemorating World Hepatitis Day, he emphasized the significance of this year’s theme, ‘Let’s break it down,’ as a crucial step towards eliminating hepatitis.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Prof Yunus highlighted the growing concern of liver diseases in Bangladesh, attributing it to a lack of awareness, delayed treatment, and prevailing superstitions. He referenced reports from various national and international organizations, noting that approximately 4.4 percent of Bangladesh’s population is infected with the hepatitis-B virus and 0.6 percent with hepatitis-C.
The chief adviser stressed that the impact of hepatitis in the country is severe, with many citizens suffering from liver-related complications such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure, which often result in death. He expressed optimism that these diseases could be prevented through increased awareness and timely, proper treatment, allowing individuals to lead healthy and long lives.
Prof Yunus reaffirmed his interim government’s dedication to implementing sustainable reforms in the health sector, aiming to provide affordable and quality healthcare accessible to all citizens. He outlined the government’s initiatives to improve hospital quality and capacity nationwide and to bolster free health, family welfare, and nutrition services for marginalized populations.
Furthermore, he mentioned the introduction of medical services at district and upazila levels via mobile phones and online platforms. The government has also launched various programs with the ambitious goal of globally eliminating hepatitis by 2030. He underscored the necessity of collective efforts from all sectors to achieve this objective and expressed his hopes for the success of all programs organized for World Hepatitis Day 2025.