WHO Urges Southeast Asia to Amp Up Fight Against Viral Hepatitis B and C

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on Southeast Asian countries to intensify efforts to provide universal access to prevention, vaccination, diagnosis, and treatment for hepatitis B and C. These diseases cause significant mortality due to liver cancer, cirrhosis, and liver failure, despite being preventable and treatable.

The World Health Organization on Saturday urged Southeast Asian countries to swiftly enhance their efforts to provide universal access to the prevention, vaccination, diagnosis, and treatment of viral hepatitis B and C.

Despite their preventable and treatable nature, these chronic infections are leading to severe illnesses and deaths from liver cancer, cirrhosis, and liver failure, the WHO noted. Presently, liver cancer stands as the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the region and the second-most common cause of cancer deaths among men.

In 2022, Southeast Asia accounted for 70.5 million people living with viral hepatitis B and C, with nearly 75% of liver cirrhosis attributed to these infections. Early testing and treatment can cure hepatitis C and prevent the progression of hepatitis B, potentially averting predictions of a doubling in liver cancer rates by 2050 to over 200,000 deaths annually.

(With inputs from agencies.)