National-level World Hepatitis Day launch in Sandakan Aug
Published on: Thursday, July 21, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: The launching of the national-level World Hepatitis Day 2016 will be held at SM Yu Yuan hall in Sandakan on Aug 6.State Health Department Director Dr. Christina Rundi said the event, to be officiated by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam, will be filled with various activities such as a lecture on What is World Hepatitis Day, a public forum, counselling, free Hepatitis B and C screening and exhibition on viral hepatitis.Hepatitis is endemic in Malaysia with the Health Ministry receiving reports of viral hepatitis infection yearly.
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"The number is lower than expected because many Malaysians do not know their hepatitis status. Only those who have recently undergone screening would know, such as pregnant women, blood donors and those admitted to the hospitals."But the majority of the populace are unaware if they have hepatitis, until it was too late. Therefore, this programme is perfect to disseminate information about this contagious disease," she said during a press conference here, Wednesday.
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World Hepatitis Day is one of only four official disease-specific world health days declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which is celebrated every year on July 28.The killer disease infected about 400 million people worldwide. An estimated 95 per cent patients do not know they are suffering from the disease.
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About 90 per cent of Hepatitis C patients can be treated within three to six months. Treatment for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C could prevent complications such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.The World Hepatitis Day is celebrated annually by the department. Last year, it was held in Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kota Kinabalu.This year, the theme of the event is 'Know Hepatitis: Act now'."The main objectives of this day are to increase awareness among the public on viral hepatitis disease and promote increased access to treatment, care and better prevention programmes," she said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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