Hamad Medical Corp (HMC) continues its support to World Health Organisation’s (WHO) first global health sector strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030 through raising awareness and understanding of the disease and increasing access to diagnosis and interventions.

World Hepatitis Day, observed on July 28, provides an opportunity to add momentum to ongoing efforts by the WHO to eliminate the viruses that primarily attack the liver.
HMC is already on the path toward eliminating viral hepatitis in Qatar.
There have been no major incidences of the disease in the country in recent years and every child born in Qatar is vaccinated against hepatitis B as part of the government’s childhood immunisation programme.
Additional strategies implemented in Qatar for the elimination of hepatitis include testing of all blood and blood products before transfusion, premarital screening for hepatitis B and C, screening of all healthcare workers as part of the licensing process and providing the vaccine free of charge for those who were found not to be immune to hepatitis B.
During the World Health Assembly’s recent Committee A meetings, held in Geneva and chaired by HE the Minister of Public Health, Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, the Global Vaccine Action Plan and Global Response to Vector Control were reviewed as part of the group’s focus on monitoring and responding to communicable diseases.
Last May, the World Health Assembly endorsed the Global Health Sector Strategy on viral hepatitis 2016-2021, which calls for elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030.
HMC’s Infectious Diseases Unit senior consultant Dr Hussam al-Soub said viral hepatitis is caused by five main viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
“Viral hepatitis is considered a silent killer. An infected person may show limited or no symptoms. When there are symptoms, they include jaundice, dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain,” said Dr al-Soub.
He explained that hepatitis A and E are typically transmitted through contaminated food or drinks.
Hepatitis B and C can be contracted by needle sharing.
“Hepatitis can also be caused by the transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, especially in places where blood is not tested properly; through a mother to her child during pregnancy; and by sexual contact.”
Dr al-Soub added that people with hepatitis B can also be infected with hepatitis D, resulting in more severe complications.
“If a person is infected with hepatitis A and E, the infection will most likely go away on its own and without the ongoing liver disease.
Hepatitis B and C, on the other hand, can become chronic and lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer,” said Dr al-Soub.
“Pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B and C so that if they are infected, protective measures such as the hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulin can be given to the newborn baby. Otherwise, there is a 90% risk that the child will become infected,” Dr al- Soub added.

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