CJMY
World Hepatitis Day reminds us of a disease that kills more than one million people yearly.
According to the World Health Organisation’s report, three hundred twenty-five million people live with viral hepatitis.
More than 400,000 people in Malaysia live with hepatitis C. However, only one per cent received treatment.
The theme for World Hepatitis Day, which falls on July 8 every year, is “I can’t wait”.
The theme highlights the need to accelerate the fight against viral hepatitis and the importance of testing and treatment for the real people who need it.
Hepatitis Virus
There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D and E.
Together, hepatitis B and C are the most common cause of death.
However, hepatitis A and E are short-term infections.
Usually, hepatitis A is spread through food contamination and passes out of the body after some months without long-lasting health problems.
Hepatitis B is spread through blood, semen, or other body fluids.
Likewise, Hepatitis C transmission happens through blood transfusions and organ transplants.
Treatment hub in Malaysia
Malaysia is the first country in the world to receive conditional approval for using Ravidasvir in combination with Sofosbuvir to treat hepatitis C.
Consequently, Malaysia is aspiring to become the hepatitis C treatment hub for Asia, with promises of treatment at a fraction of current costs.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that people with hepatitis could receive affordable and efficacious treatments.
Previously, the treatment for hepatitis cost up to RM356,000 for 12 weeks. This situation stops many from seeking treatment.
Following this, Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that it is possible to get a 12-week treatment using Ravidasvir and a locally produced generic version of Sofosbuvir at the cost of $100.
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