Ghana develops policy on viral hepatitis to mark World Hepatitis Day
Tuesday, July 28, marked the fifth annual World Hepatitis Day, which was established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2010.
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The day was marked on the theme: “Prevent Viral Hepatitis — Act Now,” and Ghana joined the WHO and all other countries in celebrating the event by calling for a renewed effort in the prevention of viral hepatitis.
This year, the celebration focuses on the generation of both the political and public awareness as well as actions on the need to prevent viral hepatitis B and C infections.
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) and C virus affect close to 400 million people worldwide. Ghana belongs to the areas where the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection is about eight per cent high and that of hepatitis C virus is also five to 10 per cent high.
Infection prevention
There are effective tools available to prevent viral hepatitis infection which include hepatitis B vaccination, surveillance, education, screening, and treatment. However the challenge is to build the capacity to extend these interventions countrywide.
For this reason the Ministry of Health (MOH) constituted technical experts who tirelessly worked and had consultative review meetings with all key stakeholders who matter to develop the first-ever national policy on the Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis in the country.
Aim of policy document
The aim of this policy document is to give directions as to the provision of quality-driven, results-oriented, client-focused and affordable viral hepatitis prevention and control services in order to improve the health status of all people living with and at risk of viral hepatitis in Ghana.
The policy areas include surveillance and response, laboratory diagnosis, prevention of viral hepatitis, advocacy, communication and social mobilisation.
The rest are: treatment, care and support, research, regulation, implementation framework, monitoring and evaluation, resources mobilisation and financing.
Stakeholders
According to a statement from the MOH, this document will be widely circulated to all stakeholders, including key ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), non-governmental organisations, civil society, key organised groups and the private sector.
This policy is, however, directed to each person and the ministry has called on all leaders in the society and heads of institutions to contribute their part to achieve the goal of reducing morbidity and mortality due to viral hepatitis to the barest minimum in Ghana.
The statement said viral hepatitis could be prevented and encouraged all persons to know of their risk and exposure to hepatitis B and C to get informed and learn how to protect themselves.
Relevant facts
Know how to prevent yourself from becoming infected by doing the following:
• Knowing whether you are infected by getting tested
• Get vaccinated for hepatitis B if you test negative
• Seek treatment at the nearest health facility if you test positive
• Vaccinate your child; vaccination is free for all children under one year
• Avoid sharing sharp objects
• Use sterile, single-use syringes
• All our health facilities should ensure that blood transfusions, injections and medical procedures are safe and free from hepatitis B and C
• Practise safe sex with condoms
• Avoid multiple sexual partners
