DUBAI - On the occasion of World Hepatitis Day today, health officials have urged people to go voluntarily for screening for the disease even if they do not have symptoms as it affects 2-7 per cent of the population of the Middle East.
Officials are trying to raise awareness about Hepatitis B in the UAE by launching educational campaigns as well as gather political support for the fight against it to the levels of HIV/Aids, TB and malaria.
Representatives from the Emirates Gastroenterology Society and Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club on Sunday provided a medical perspective of the disease in the UAE and extended support to the global initiative to combat the disease by educating the community through the media.
Hepatitis B is the most common of the viruses and affects more people than any other form of hepatitis. “Chronic viral hepatitis is a serious health problem in the UAE and has a history of under diagnosis,” said Dr Adnan Abuhammour, president of the Emirates Gastroenterology Society.
“This, coupled with the stigma associated with transmission of the disease, means that many individuals are afraid to get tested for fear of a positive diagnosis. While there is no cure for Hepatitis B, there are effective treatments that can manage the disease and allow patients to live a relatively normal life,” he said.
“The key to overcoming this fear of a positive diagnosis will be realised through educating people about the treatments available and raising awareness. Because patients often do not demonstrate symptoms until later stages, early detection can help save lives,” he added.
More than two billion people worldwide have evidence of past Hepatitis B infection. Most people will develop the acute form of the disease and will fully recover, but for the 350 million individuals who become chronically infected, Hepatitis B will be with them for the rest of their lives.
Left untreated, it can progress to cirrhosis and even liver cancer. In fact, some 80 per cent of all primary liver cancers worldwide can be attributed to Hepatitis B. There is no cure but there are medications available to treat the condition.
The Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club also addressed the importance of its community involvement.
“We are committed to engaging with the community in projects that will really benefit the health and well being of our fans and the wider society. World Hepatitis Day provides a great platform from which we can encourage people to seek screening and learn how they can protect themselves and their family from contracting the disease,” said Dr Khalid Mohamed Abdullah, CEO of the club.
Officials of the UAE Ministry of Health too are making efforts to tackle the disease. Currently, they are considering inclusion of a fourth dose of Hepatitis B vaccination for children at the age of 10 following the World Health Organisation recommendations. Under the country’s compulsory and free vaccination programme, three Hepatitis B vaccinations are administered to babies — at birth, at two months and then at four months. Besides newborns, all health professionals attending infected patients are also required to take the vaccination.
Since the inaugural World Hepatitis Day on May 19, 2008 launched by World Hepatitis Alliance, hundreds of global and local initiatives have been launched with the aim of targeting not only those infected but also those who may be potentially at risk.
The goal of these initiatives is to help prevent the spread of the disease through awareness, testing and prevention. This year’s campaign theme is ‘Am I Number 12?’ — designed to communicate the shocking statistic that one in 12 people worldwide are living with either Hepatitis B or C. Screening for Hepatitis B can be done at preventive medicine centres throughout the UAE