New York, USA:– Uganda’s Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine, has called for greater global efforts to eliminate hepatitis B and C, particularly in Africa, Uganda inclusive.
During a discussion on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Dr. Atwine highlighted the persistent lack of attention and funding for hepatitis treatment, despite its close connection with other major infectious diseases like HIV.
“We see substantial interest from development partners in addressing diseases such as HIV and TB, but hepatitis is often sidelined,” Dr. Atwine noted, adding; “Yet, hepatitis poses a significant public health threat, particularly in low-resource settings where screening and treatment are limited.”
Dr Atwine emphasized that with only six years remaining to meet global hepatitis elimination targets, there is an urgent need to accelerate screening, prevention, and treatment efforts. She further called for the same level of investment that has been directed at diseases like HIV to also be applied to hepatitis.
“Vaccination is an important tool in combating hepatitis, but there is still insufficient awareness, especially in communities where the perceived risk of hepatitis C is low,” she added, before emphasizing that; “Despite recorded deaths, the disease is still not given the priority it deserves.”
A major challenge, according to Dr. Atwine, is the lack of resources in developing countries to adequately screen and treat those at risk. The PS stressed that scaling up access to testing kits and medication is crucial to stopping the spread of the disease.
“Massive treatment is the key to eliminating hepatitis,” she said. “We need to ensure that everyone who has hepatitis B gets access to treatment, and that proper follow-up is done.”
Dr. Atwine also criticized the limited international support for hepatitis elimination, noting that while developed countries may feel secure, the risk remains as long as the disease is not addressed globally.
“COVID-19 has taught us that no one is safe until everyone is safe. Hepatitis B could very well make its way back to developed nations if we do not tackle it comprehensively,” she warned.
She therefore called on the global health community to work together in providing the necessary resources for testing, treatment of Hepatitis B, and community-based health interventions to significantly reduce the burden of hepatitis.
“We cannot accept that only 2% of those who need treatment are receiving it. It’s time to accelerate our efforts,” she urged.
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