Departmental Perspectives on Viral Hepatitis

1. Departmental Perspectives on Viral Hepatitis Frew Benson World Hepatitis Day Commemoration

2. Introduction • Importance of Viral hepatitis • Caused by several types of viruses (Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E). • Hepatitis A, B and C ― the most common type • Hepatitis B, C, and D viruses frequently progress to chronic hepatitis • 240 million people worldwide chronically infected with hepatitis B • around 150 million people chronically infected with hepatitis C. • Chronic hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and sometimes death. • 1.4 million deaths annually due to hepatitis • Viral hepatitis in South Africa • Several possible risk factors exist in the country, which could result in transmission of viral hepatitis • Hepatitis A and B are highly endemic in South Africa • There is limited data on hepatitis C, D and E (sporadic cases due to hepatitis E have been reported as a result of travel to high-risk areas outside South Africa).

3. Relation with Departmental Vision • A long and healthy life for all South Africans • Aim of the Programme • Decrease morbidity and mortality due to Hepatitis

4. Role of NDoH • Primary prevention through vaccination • Policy and guideline formulation and facilitate process of implementation • Monitor and Evaluate and provide reports according to set norms and standards • Assist in resource mobilisation for policy implementation • Establish early warning systems and improve surveillance and reporting • Ensure legal compliance and epidemic preparedness and response • Strengthen cross border and regional collaboration • Strengthen communication, advocacy, social mobilisation and partnerships • Training and capacity building at provincial level

5. Highlights • Hepatitis B vaccination part of EPI programme since 1995 • World Hepatitis Day adopted by WHO • Resolution WHA63.18 in 2010 • Calling for a comprehensive approach to the prevention and control of viral hepatitis. • Policy and guidelines drafted 2011

6. World Hepatitis Day • 28 July chosen for World Hepatitis Day - birthday of Baruch Samuel Blumberg who discovered hepatitis B • Provides an opportunity to focus on specific actions, such as: • strengthening prevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases; • increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage; • coordinating a global response to viral hepatitis. • Theme this year: • "This is hepatitis. Know it. Confront it." 

7. Challenges • Weak Surveillance systems • Late detection and reporting of outbreaks • Lack of reliable data to inform policy and actions • Health Promotion weak • Lack of community awareness • Competing priorities • Lack of continuous training of health care workers • Adherence to adequate infection control measures in health care facilities and institutions

8. Way forward • Adoption of policy and guidelines • Protection of those at risk of infection eg health care workers, people with multiple sexual partners, intravenous drug users, hemophiliacs • Strategies need to be implemented against risk factors for viral hepatitis • Focus on water and sanitation, and health promotion on basic hygiene for hepatitis A and E. • Focus on increasing public awareness and improving infection control practices for hepatitis B and C.

9. Conclusion • Programme against Hepatitis presently not as strong as it should be – all opportunities need to be used to strengthen it , including World Hepatitis Day. • We need to do much more to increase community awareness of the disease • Thanks to the organisers of the event • “Together we can do more” President Zuma