Millions of people living with viral hepatitis remain undiagnosed and untreated despite the availability of vaccines, testing, and effective medicines that prevent serious illness and death.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it made the call ahead of World Hepatitis Day, observed annually on 28 July, to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that could lead to severe liver disease, cirrhosis and liver cancer.
This year’s theme, ‘Hepatitis: Let’s Break it Down’, focuses on removing the barriers that prevent people from accessing life-saving prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care services.
“Viral hepatitis remains a major cause of preventable illness and death worldwide, despite the availability of tools needed to eliminate the disease as a public health threat,” the WHO says.
The organisation says effective vaccines, accurate diagnostic tools, curative treatment for hepatitis C and lifelong treatment for hepatitis B are available, but millions of people continue to miss out on these services.
The organisation says stigma, limited awareness, gaps within health systems and persistent inequalities continue to prevent people from seeking testing and receiving care.
This year’s theme is a call to remove the obstacles between people and the services that can save their lives, the WHO says.
It says countries need stronger political commitment and sustained investment to ensure prevention, testing and treatment services reach all communities.
Early diagnosis remains critical because many people living with viral hepatitis do not experience symptoms until the disease has progressed and caused serious liver damage, the global health body says.
The organisation warns that untreated hepatitis infections can increase the risk of liver cancer and cirrhosis, but early detection and access to treatment can significantly reduce these risks.
The WHO calls for increased efforts to address misinformation and stigma surrounding hepatitis, saying these factors discourage people from accessing healthcare services.
Strengthening primary healthcare systems and expanding access to testing and treatment are essential steps towards eliminating viral hepatitis, it says.
“Turning proven science into action requires stronger political commitment, sustained investment and efforts to expand equitable access to prevention, testing, treatment and care.”
World Hepatitis Day serves as a reminder that while the tools to prevent and treat viral hepatitis already exist, global progress depends on ensuring these interventions reach the people who need them the most.
