July 28 is World Hepatitis Day, but the disease is still given little attention, yet it affects many people worldwide.Hepatitis injures the liver with inflammation of the liver cells, and acute hepatitis lasts for less than six months, while a chronic cases lasts longer.According to World Health Organization (WHO), Hepatitis B and C account for almost 80 percent of all liver cancer cases. Globally, an estimated 500 million people experience chronic illness from their infection with hepatitis; it is a major cause of liver cancer and liver cirrhosis.In an interview with The New Times, Dr Christian Ntizimira of Kibagabaga Hospital said that Hepatitis B is the commonest in Rwanda.He noted that even if Kibagabaga currently doesn’t have treatment for the disease, plans are underway to start.Ntizimira noted that vaccination has been rolled out in some health facilities and more are on the way.“The ministry has plans of rolling out more Hepatitis vaccination to other health facilities in the country. Some Rwandan medics are also undergoing training to learn how to administer treatment for the disease,” he said.He added that three years ago, the vaccination for the diseases was too expensive and cost an estimated Rwf 40,000, but it has now come down to Rwf 9,000.In a press statement, the World Health Organisation (WHO) called upon governments to strengthen efforts to fight viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that kills about one million people every year.Dr Sylvie Briand of WHO’s Department of Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases, noted that the vast majority of people infected with hepatitis are unaware, undiagnosed and untreated.“Only by increasing awareness of the different forms of hepatitis, and how they can be prevented and treated, can we take the first step towards full control of the disease and save thousands of lives,” Briand said.There are five hepatitis viruses defined by types A, B, C, D and E.Types B and C are of significant concern since a high proportion of people infected with these viruses may not experience symptoms at the early stage of the disease, and only become aware of their infection when they are chronically ill.People can get hepatitis from either infected bodily fluids or contaminated food and water depending on the type of hepatitis.Types B, C and D are contracted through the blood of an infected person (e.g. through unsafe injections or unscreened blood transfusions) and in the case of hepatitis B and C, through unprotected sex.Type D only infects persons who are already infected with type B, while types A and E are usually transmitted via contaminated water or food and closely associated with poor sanitation and poor personal hygiene.Dr Aimable Mbituyuremyi, an official at Rwanda Biomedical Centre, also confirmed that the country is mostly affected by Hepatitis B which mostly affects people with HIV/AIDS.He also said that people infected with HIV are going to be immunized against Hepatitis B. Those already infected with it are on treatment.All health workers in Rwanda who deal with HIV patients have been taught how to treat Hepatitis B, according to the official. The medics will also be vaccinated to protect them from Hepatitis B.No national survey has been carried out to ascertain the status of the disease in the country.
