Hepatitis ignored for too long
SINGAPORE – I congratulate Mr Freddy Chuang (“Include hepatitis B on Medisave’s chronic diseases list”; last Tuesday) for being open about the fact that he has chronic hepatitis B, a disease that attracts much stigma in our society; and for highlighting the need for the Government to give greater financial assistance to those who are infected, so they can afford care and medications, which in most cases will stop the infection from progressing to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Worldwide, viral hepatitis is responsible for 1.4 million deaths per year – a figure similar to that for HIV/Aids.
The Asia-Pacific region carries the major burden of this disease, with more than one million people dying as a result of the virus every year – 70 per cent of the total worldwide mortality.
Three times as many people die from viral hepatitis in Asia as from HIV each year; the figure is nine times that of deaths from malaria.
Hepatitis has been ignored for too long and its impact stretches beyond the individual, with the costs of secondary care, such as hospitalisation and treatment for liver cancer, putting a huge strain on national economies.
There are good medications now available and governments have a responsibility to raise awareness and educate people about the disease, and assist those infected with access to medications before it is too late.
Jennifer Johnston (Ms)
Executive Director
Coalition to Eradicate Viral Hepatitis in Asia Pacific
Source: The Straits Times
Category: Features, Health alert
