National Viral Hepatitis Control Program Manager, Dr. Gerald Adiiboka revealed that about 3 million Ghanaians are living with viral Hepatitis stressing that most people living with Hepatitis B in Ghana do not Know it.
He added about 500,000 people are living with Hepatitis C in Ghana.
He bemoaned the low prevalence, diagnosis and treatment capacity of Ghana emphasizing that whilst World Health Organization (WHO) targets 90% for both prevalence and diagnosis and 80% treatment rate, Ghana is only doing 1% each and 9% respectively.
Dr. Adiiboka made the statement during the Commemoration and launch of the Technical Working Group for Viral Hepatitis in Ghana held in Accra on Tuesday under the theme “Hepatitis Elimination: Everywhere, everyone right now”.
Dr. Adiiboka however maintained that diagnosis and treatment of the disease is free courtesy the government of Egypt which he said are supplying the vaccines to Ghana.
The National Viral Hepatitis Control Program Manager stressed that elimination of Hepatitis is achievable only with financing, testing and Political will.
He therefore called for the need for Ghana to intensify its surveillance and improve upon its data on viral Hepatitis.
For his part, the Chief Director of Ministry of Health who represented the Minister revealed that Hepatitis is the major cause of liver cirrhosis cancer mortality adding that there was the need to strengthen the viral prevention as well as child to mother transmission.
He said the expanded access to free treatment of Hepatitis B is a testament of government’s commitment to eliminate the disease.
The Ceremony was graced by Partners including the WHO Country Representative Dr. Fiona Braka and Okyeame Quame, all of who urhed the public to take Hepatitis seriously and test to know their status.
The Director General of Ghana Health Service, Dr. Samuel Akoriyea Kaba, on his part, re-affirmed the Services commitment to eliminate viral Hepatitis in the country acknowledging that it’s a public health threat.
He said even though Ghana’s figures towards eliminating the diseases vis-à-vis the WHO target is not encouraging, progress made so far and with renewed commitment, the narrative would be better.
The GHS Director General later touched on the need foe the public to voluntarily avail themselves to be diagnosed since it’s free.
Source:www.senaradioonline.com
