World Hepatitis Day - July 28

[Ajit Basrur]

World Hepatitis Day, observed on July 28 every year, aims to raise global awareness of hepatitis B and hepatitis C and encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

World_Hepatitis_Day

World Hepatitis Day is coordinated by the World Hepatitis Alliance, a non-governmental organisation that represents hepatitis B and hepatitis C patient groups from around the world.

World Hepatitis Day is an annual event that each year provides international focus for patient groups and people living with hepatitis B and C. It is an opportunity around which interested groups can raise awareness and influence real change in disease prevention and access to testing and treatment.

The World Hepatitis Alliance first launched World Hepatitis Day in 2008, and since then thousands of events have taken place around the world, generating massive public and media interest. The Alliance has also received support from governments worldwide, high-profile Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and supranational bodies, such as Médecins Sans Frontières.

Following the World Health Assembly in May 2010, it was agreed that World Hepatitis Day would be recognised annually on 28 July.

[bharatbuk]

World Hepatitis Day is marked to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes. Hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E can cause chronic infection and inflammation of the liver leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

This day provides an opportunity to focus on specific actions such as:

1) strengthening prevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases;

2) increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage and integration into national immunization programmes and

3) coordinating a global response to hepatitis.